Manama: The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) announced the launch of the 16th edition of the Middle East Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Pre-Moot, which will be held from February 8-12 in partnership with the Royal University for Women in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The event is organised by the BCDR at the campus of the Royal University for Women, with the participation of 19 university teams and 106 participants representing 15 countries, as part of their preparations to take part in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, which is held annually at the international level.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the opening included welcoming remarks delivered by Ahmed Husain Abdulrahman, Chief Executive Officer of the BCDR; Professor Riyad Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women; and Matthew Brown, Acting Registrar of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. Professor Jan Paulsson, President of the Bahrain International Commercial Court, also delivered a session on third-party funding and the International Bar Association's approach to evidence.
In its 16th edition, the Middle East Vis Pre-Moot continues its role in supporting law students and enhancing their readiness and competitiveness, particularly in the Middle East, to participate in one of the world's leading competitions in international commercial arbitration. Over the years, the event has established itself as a leading regional training platform, providing structured and advanced preparation within a high-level interactive academic environment.
Over the course of five days, teams take part in simulated arbitration proceedings based on the problem for the thirty-third edition of the Vis Moot, with pleadings presented before panels comprising leading arbitrators and arbitration practitioners, as well as academics and legal scholars. The programme includes specialised workshops addressing the procedural and substantive aspects of the moot problem, argument-building sessions, and organised evaluation and feedback rounds aimed at developing participants' written and oral advocacy skills.
The event is supported by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Jus Mundi platform, in addition to a number of Bahraini and regional law firms, reflecting a shared commitment to capacity-building and skills development in international commercial arbitration in the Middle East and North Africa. This year's programme focuses on advanced training in international commercial arbitration procedures, specialised sessions on evidence management and third-party funding, and practical guidance on developing case theory and building timelines in complex cross-border commercial disputes. The programme also places particular emphasis on academic and professional mentorship and networking, enabling students to engage directly with leading arbitration experts and to develop the research, drafting and advocacy skills required for the practice of international dispute resolution.
Over previous editions, the Middle East Vis Pre-Moot has supported hundreds of students and connected them with an international network of arbitrators, academics and legal scholars, many of whom continue to provide guidance and mentorship after the conclusion of the event. The 16th edition is expected to contribute to enhancing the performance and international presence of the participating teams, while reinforcing the Kingdom of Bahrain's position as a regional hub for education and training in international commercial arbitration.
Following the conclusion of the Pre-Moot, participating teams will continue to benefit from the expertise, experiences, feedback and lessons gained in the Kingdom of Bahrain as part of their preparations for the upcoming international oral rounds in Vienna and Hong Kong. The BCDR will also continue its cooperation with its partners to develop future training initiatives and strengthen future editions of the Middle East Willem C. Vis Pre-Moot.