Whether you are moving your first steps in the Jessup Competition or you just need a refresher, you can find here all the essential information on How To participate
How To Start a Team
Get in Contact
If you are a student interested in participating in the Jessup Competition, the first step is to check whether your university already has a Jessup team. You can do so by contacting the Italian National Administrator at jessup.italianrounds[at]gmail.com.
Finding a Team Advisor
If your university does not yet have a Jessup team, the Italian National Administrator can assist you in identifying and contacting a suitable university representative - typically a professor of international law - who can support the team throughout the Competition and serve as a point of reference for organisational and academic matters.
Once you have identified potential Team Advisors, you may wish to contact them by email or arrange an introductory meeting. This is an opportunity to present the Jessup Competition, explain your interest in establishing a team, and discuss the role of a Team Advisor. If an individual is unable to take on the role, you may also ask whether they can recommend other colleagues or members of the academic community who might be interested.
During the meeting, you should discuss the Competition in greater detail and consider whether the prospective advisor would be able to provide the team with the guidance and support required throughout the season.
If no one at your university is available to serve as Team Advisor, the Italian National Administrator may also put you in contact with a Jessup alumnus or another “Friend of the Jessup” in your area. They may be able to advise you on establishing a team and participating in the Competition for the first time, and, where possible, may be available to coach your team remotely.
Recruiting Your Team
Once a Team Advisor has been identified, the next step is to inform your fellow students that your university is establishing a Jessup team and invite them to join. Team Advisors may wish to organise a presentation or information session, particularly for students enrolled in international law or related courses, to introduce the Competition and explain the opportunities it offers.
A Jessup team consists of between two and five students. While establishing a team may initially seem like a significant undertaking, the process can begin with just a few committed students and the support of a Team Advisor.
If you are interested in taking part, the first step is simply to get started..
How To Select a Team
Once the decision to establish a Jessup team has been made, a selection process may be necessary if more than five students wish to participate, as each team may consist of no more than five students.
The selection process is at the discretion of the Team Advisor(s) and relevant faculty members, and each university may establish its own criteria and procedures in accordance with its institutional practices and the time available.
Where feasible, the selection process may include one or more of the following activities:
Submission of a CV and Motivation Letter: Candidates may be asked to provide a CV and a short motivation letter. Academic performance, including examination results, may also be taken into consideration. These materials can help Team Advisors gain an understanding of candidates’ academic background, interests, and motivation to participate in the Competition.
Written Exercise: Candidates may be asked to prepare a short essay on a designated topic or complete a written exercise involving the reading and analysis of a legal text, such as an extract from an International Court of Justice decision. This can provide an opportunity to assess candidates’ analytical and writing skills, as well as their ability to work in English.
Oral Presentation or Interview: Candidates may be invited to prepare a topic for oral discussion or participate in a motivational interview. This can help assess their ability to present and discuss legal issues, communicate effectively, and work in an English-language environment.
The selection process may combine several of these elements, depending on the number of candidates, the time available, and the approach adopted by the university.
The objective should be to identify a team whose members can work effectively together and are prepared to commit to the demands of the Jessup Competition.
How To Register a Team
Registration for the Jessup Competition is completed through the ILSA registration system. A representative of the team—such as a Team Member, Team Advisor, or designated Team Contact—must complete the registration process on behalf of the team.
The registration process generally involves:
Completing the online Jessup Registration Form, made available each year through the ILSA website.
Paying the applicable Registration Fee. The amount and accepted payment methods are determined by ILSA for each Competition season. Teams should consult the registration materials for the relevant year for the applicable fee and payment instructions.
Registering all Team Members and Team Advisors. Team Members and Team Advisors must be registered through the team’s ILSA profile in accordance with the applicable registration procedures. Once registered, changes to Team Members may be subject to specific restrictions and approval by ILSA. Any request for a substitution should therefore be submitted to ILSA promptly and should include an explanation of the circumstances giving rise to the request. Modifications to the list of Team Advisors are always possible.
The registration deadline is established by ILSA each year and is published in the Official Schedule of the Competition. Teams are responsible for completing all registration requirements within the applicable deadlines.
Teams intending to compete in the Italian National Rounds do not need to complete a separate registration process with Jessup Italy. Registration for the Jessup Competition through the ILSA system will automatically enable the team to participate in the Italian National Rounds where more than one team from Italy registers for the relevant Competition season.
Nevertheless, teams are strongly encouraged to contact the Italian National Administrator as early as possible to inform Jessup Italy of their intention to participate. Early contact allows the National Administrator to provide guidance on the registration process, answer questions, and ensure that teams receive all relevant information concerning the Italian National Rounds.