University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
Who We Are
Introducing the 32nd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot team from the University of Pretoria.
This is the fifth team from the University of Pretoria that is taking part in the Vis Moot. In its second year of participation in the Vis Moot, the Pretoria Vis Moot team placed third overall in the competition worldwide, among 365 competing universities. With the Pretoria Vis Moot team still being a relatively “new” participant in the Vis Moot, the team hopes to draw from the previous successes of its past teams to make our university proud.
The Pretoria Vis Moot Team has been a part of Africa in the Moot since 2021 and the team is grateful for the opportunities and events which Africa in the Moot continues to provide to the teams involved in its programme. This year’s team particularly enjoys Africa in the Moot’s virtual educational series, which has improved their knowledge in international commercial arbitration.
The team is excited to start with the oral phase of the competition, and to connect with students and practitioners from around the world.
Bao Dinh Le
Bao is a second year, international student from Vietnam currently pursuing the Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Pretoria. He is a diligent and ambitious scholar, who has keen interests in International Commercial Arbitration, specifically with the intricacies in global regulation of AI within private international law.
His academic pursuit, while focused on law, extends to AI application in various fields, as well as relevant ethical studies behind its regulation. Competing in the 32nd Willem C. Vis Moot, he aims to advance his legal skills in legal research, advocacy, and team cooperation.
The Vis Moot Competition, while offers an excellent educational value, presents itself as an incredible networking opportunity. As the Chairperson of the International Student Association of UP, he aims to establish meaningful connections that not only furthers the ICA Community but also tertiary institutions’ cooperation at an international level.
Brendan Ewen
Brendan is a dedicated and ambitious second-year law student at the University of Pretoria with a keen interest in international commercial arbitration. Competing in the 32nd Willem C. Vis Moot, he combines his passion for learning and competition with a drive to hone his advocacy, legal research, and teamwork skills.
Brendan’s academic pursuits extend beyond law, encompassing philosophy and English literature, which fuel his curiosity about the intersections of law, ethics, and social justice
With a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for meaningful advocacy, Brendan is eager to contribute to the future of international law while exploring innovative solutions to contemporary legal challenges.
Kiana Lee Higgins
Kiana Lee Higgins is a second year LLB student at the University of Pretoria. She enjoys reading and traveling. The majority of her high school career was spent traveling along the coast of South Africa, which instilled a great reverence for her country's beauty and diversity.
Kiana's interest in the Willem C. VIS International Arbitration Moot was piqued in her first year at the University of Pretoria. She set it as a goal to participate as soon as she could, and so, she took part in an internal moot as well as the Alfred Deakin Commercial Arbitration Moot. The latter solidified her enthusiasm towards international commercial arbitration, and for her, it is a blessing and privilege to be part of the team.
Lesiba Lieschen Mphela
Lesiba Mphela is a final year Law (LLB) student at the University of Pretoria. When she is not busy studying, Lesiba enjoys playing tennis and reading. Her favorite book is the Holy Bible, and she is also passionate about playing chess and scrabble. A fun fact about her is that she is her own nail technician.
Lesiba's experience in the internal moot court competition held by her University, where she progressed to become a judge for the internal leagues, sparked her interest in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. She decided to take on the challenge, and it is a dream come true to be part of the prestigious 32nd Willem C. Vis 2024-2025. Lesiba feels honored to represent her university on an international level.
Sifiso Dlamini
Sifiso Dlamini is a passionate legal scholar and a candidate for the LLB degree at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. With a strong academic foundation, having graduated with distinction in a BA Law degree, Sifiso has earned 19 distinctions out of 30 modules and is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Sifiso has extensive experience in leadership, having served on various committees, including House Humanities for postgraduate and international students, and received awards for leadership and innovation.
Beyond academics, Sifiso has engaged in practical legal training through vacation programs at Adams & Adams, gaining firsthand experience in litigation, client consultations, and court appearances. Committed to fostering access to justice and African-centered legal education, Sifiso's research interests include transformative legal pedagogy and addressing systemic barriers in the law.