Willem C. Vis Looks Good in Many Hats: the Roles and Opportunities in my Vis Journey

By Winnie Kiberu

Strathmore University 28th Vis Moot Team Member, Coach of University of The Gambia, and Teams Coordination Committee Member

My journey, like that of many past alumni of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, began as a participant in the competition. I had the privilege of being part of the international Vis family for the past two and a half years. First as a participant, then as a coach, and most recently, as a regional Teams Coordinator under the auspices of Africa in the Moot. I shall recount my experience and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Mootie

I participated virtually in the 28th Vis Moot, Vienna, during the height of global COVID-19 travel restrictions and lockdowns. Being selected to join the Strathmore Law School ("SLS") Vis Team was the long-awaited break I needed after months of isolation and boredom. From the onset, our coach, Stephen Fleischer, warned us that the Vis required great amounts of time and commitment. He emphasised this by comparing the experience to taking on another double credit unit or course at the university, and oh boy, I never appreciated his words until I was at the centre of it all!

The 28th Vis Moot problem provided an exciting and hopeful spin on our reality at the time, centering on the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine. In the span of 8 months, I became a mini expert on viral vectors and third party IP rights under the CISG. The long hours of research, sleepless nights drafting memos and incessant arguments - familiar to many Vis mooties - added something valuable to my experience. My teammates became my closest friends and it was an indescribable feeling when we made it to the round of 16 and received honourable mentions for the Eric E. Bergsten and Martin Domke Awards. Our achievement was made even more remarkable learning that we were the first African team in the history of the Vis to make it to the round of 16.

I learnt the art of structure, simplicity, and brevity in my arguments; I got to argue before seasoned professionals and against remarkable young lawyers from across the globe; and most importantly, found a community and developed networks that I will treasure forever.

Coach

Following the end of a thrilling Vis season, I suddenly had some free time - too much of it actually - and was not sure what to do. I knew that I wanted to stay involved in the Vis in some way and I thought I would do this as an assistant coach to the next SLS Vis Team. But fate intervened in an unexpected way that saw me dive head-first into the role of co-head coach. In late 2021, Africa in the Moot was founded with the aim of exposing more African students to international commercial arbitration and increasing the representation of African teams at the Vis. Through Africa in the Moot, I was introduced to my new team from the University of The Gambia ("UTG"). It was a gargantuan task to coach for the very first time and this feeling was both heightened and tempered because it was UTG’s first time participating in the Vis Moot. It was a learning curve for both my students and me. .

Coaching the UTG Vis team was a rewarding challenge that motivated me to stay on as their coach for the 30th Vis Moot. The 30th Vis Moot was held in-person in Vienna, which posed a host of new challenges, namely financial and logistical. Up until the day I saw my team in Vienna, I was worried they would not make it for the competition, but thankfully they did.

Coaching has a different set of stress factors, like ensuring your team meets memo deadlines, fundraising, and securing travel arrangements. It was a roller-coaster ride that pushed me out of my comfort zone. True to the ethos of the Vis, being a coach has kept me learning and adapting to new circumstances. I look forward to coaching more African teams in the coming years.

Committee Member

In 2022, I joined Africa in the Moot’s Teams Coordination Committee, responsible for ensuring smooth communication and coordination between the organisation and its teams.

Our mission was to ensure that Vis teams were constituted before the release of the problem; all teams had a head coach and an assistant coach; teams met all Vis deadlines; and to address any logistic or administrative concerns teams raised along the way. I had the privilege of working with teams from The Gambia, Lesotho and Tanzania. Through collective efforts, generosity and support of our sponsors, 10 out of the 14 teams from Africa in the Moot made it to Vienna for the oral rounds – a record in the 30 years of Vis Moot history.

Being a member of the Teams Coordination Committee will remain a milestone in my life that reinforces the belief that I am capable of taking on leadership roles.

The Next Chapter…

In my brief, but eventful Vis journey, I have gained different perspectives that have enhanced my appreciation for the various components that work together to make the Vis Moot a great success. As I look to the next adventure, with my goals focused on arbitrating or joining the Moot Alumni Association Core Team, my greatest hope is to see Africa in the Moot grow and expand its impact across the continent, veering towards increasing the number of African teams participating in the Vis Moot. I look forward to being part of the community that achieves this goal.