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Volunteering at the Jessup

The Jessup Competition is able to run smoothly due in large part to the dedicated work of volunteers.

Volunteers may assist with the preparation and administration of the Competition, serve as bailiffs, or contribute in other ways throughout the event.

We warmly welcome volunteers who would like to put their skills, experience, and expertise at the service of the Jessup. Whether you have experience in event organisation, communications, technology, photography, logistics, or another area that could support the Competition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a Jessup volunteer, you can contact the Italian National Administrator at jessup.italianrounds[at]gmail.com.

Bailiffs

  • Bailiffs play a key role in ensuring that each oral round runs smoothly and successfully. Their main responsibility is to help keep the courtroom running on schedule and to ensure that the Competition’s procedures are properly followed.

    Bailiffs also play an important role in supporting teams and judges throughout the rounds. Their responsibilities may include:

    • Setting up and preparing the courtroom before each round;

    • Welcoming and assisting teams and judges;

    • Ensuring that rounds start and finish on time;

    • Helping ensure that Competition procedures are followed consistently; and

    • Observing the proceedings to help ensure that each round is conducted fairly and smoothly.

    Bailiffing is also a great way to experience the Jessup Competition from close range and become part of the community, even if you are not participating as a competitor.

  • Volunteering is a great opportunity to connect with the Jessup community, even if your university has not registered a team to compete in the Competition. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to:

    • Connect and network with students, academics, and distinguished practitioners of international law;

    • Experience the Competition from the inside, including observing how international legal arguments are developed, presented, and deliberated;

    • Take part in networking and social events and become part of the wider Jessup community;

    • Gain first-hand insight into the Jessup Competition, which can be particularly valuable if you are considering participating as a team member in a future edition.

  • Bailiffs play an important role in ensuring that the Competition runs smoothly. We therefore ask our volunteers to take their responsibilities seriously and to make the necessary time commitment to prepare for and participate in the Competition.

    In particular, volunteers are expected to:

    1. Carefully read the materials provided by the organisers and familiarise themselves with the relevant procedures and documents in advance of the Competition;

    2. Attend a brief introductory seminar (approximately 1 hour), to be held online ahead of the Competition; and

    3. Serve as a bailiff in at least two oral rounds, each lasting approximately 90 minutes.

    We greatly appreciate the time and commitment that our volunteers contribute, and we aim to make the experience both rewarding and enjoyable.

  • We greatly appreciate your willingness to contribute to the organisation of the Jessup Competition. For this reason, volunteers may participate in all Competition events free of charge.

    Please note, however, that volunteers travelling from outside the location of the Competition will be responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation expenses. Where helpful, the Administration of the Italian National Rounds will be happy to put volunteers in touch with one another to facilitate the sharing of accommodation and other costs.

    We hope this will make it easier for volunteers to take part while keeping the experience as accessible as possible.