Sarin Air Law Moot
The Air Law Moot is organised by Leiden University's International Institute of Air and Space Law and India's Sarin Memorial Legal-Aid Foundation. It simulates proceedings before the International Court of Justice, and recent issues include the regulation of air navigation facilities and state responsibility for aerial incidents. Judges of the competition are usually aviation law academics and experts. Due to travel restrictions brought about by COVID-19, the 2019/20 edition only awarded memorial prizes, and the 2020/21 and 2021/22 editions held online. While smaller-scale aviation law moots bearing similar names have been held before in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, the Air Law Moot was the first competition on the subject matter and remains the only international competition.
Established: 2010
Venue: Varies
Record number of participants: 41 teams (2018)
Subject matter: International aviation law
Qualification process: National rounds for select jurisdictions
Prep window: September to May
Comp duration: 3 days, with socio-academic events included
Maximum team size: 3
Team anonymity: No
Format (international rounds): Stand-up, 4 issues, 2 speakers, 40 minutes (including 1-speaker rebuttal); 2 prelim rounds; 25-page pleadings for each side
Memorial weightage: 1/2 till semi-final
Advanced round qualification priority: Oral scores
Registration fee: 150 euros per team
Repeat participation: Allowed
Multiple teams from same institution: Not allowed
Most championships: Ram Manohar University (3)
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Past winners
Champion (no of teams)
2023: McGill University
2022 (online): Chinese University of Hong Kong
2021 (online): Ram Manohar University
2019 (~ 30): National University of Singapore
2018 (41): Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law
2017 (~ 30): National University of Singapore
2016 (26): Ram Manohar University
2015 (21): University of Queensland
2014 (18): Leiden University
2013 (14): China University of Political Science & Law
2012 (12): Ram Manohar University
2011 (10): McGill University
2010 (10): Leiden University
Championship finalist
2023: University of Cologne
2022 (online): University of Mississippi
2021 (online): Chinese University of Hong Kong
2019: Leiden University
2018: Singapore Management University
2017: West Bengal National University
2016: National University of Singapore
2015: National Law School of India University
2014: China University of Political Science & Law
2013: McGill University
2012: Leiden University
2011: NALSAR University
2010: McGill University
Best memorial (A)
2023: University of Cologne
2022: Chanakya National Law University
2021: National University of Singapore
2020: Singapore Management University
2019: Leiden University
2018: Wuhan University
2017: West Bengal National University
2016: Leiden University
2014: Leiden University
Best memorial (R)
2023: McGill University
2022: East China University of Political Science and Law
2021: National University of Singapore
2020: Chinese University of Hong Kong
2019: McGill University
2018: National and Kapodistrian University
2017: West Bengal National University
2014: Leiden University
Best oral arguments (A)
2023: McGill University
2022 (online): Christ University
2021 (online): National Law University, Jodhpur
Best oral arguments (R)
2023: Leiden University
2022 (online): Singapore Management University
2021 (online): Ram Manohar University
Best oralist
2023: Leiden University
2022 (online): Singapore Management University
2021 (online): National Law University, Jodhpur
2019: University of Cologne
2018: Army Institute of Law
2017: National University of Kyiv
2016: Ram Manohar University
2012: Ram Manohar University
2011: National Law University, Delihi
2010: Christ University