Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot
The Lachs Space Moot is the oldest moot competition on international space law, engaging issues such as the launch of satellites and regulation of orbital debris. The international rounds, which coincide with the International Institute of Space Law Colloquium and International Astronautical Congress, feature only the winners of each of the five regions. The championship final is usually judged by judges of the International Court of Justice - also the court which the proceedings are based on - and finals venues have included the NASA Headquarters. Due to travel restrictions brought about by COVID-19, the 2019/20 edition was cancelled, and the 2020/21 edition held online. The Lachs Moot should not be confused with the Space Moot organised by the International Air & Space Law Academy, which is a newer and smaller scale competition that runs less frequently.
Established: 1992; 1993 for international rounds
Venue: Varies
Record number of participants: 92 teams (2021)
Subject matter: International space law
Qualification process: Mandatory regional rounds, with flexible geographical caps
Prep window: August to October
Comp duration (international rounds): 4 days, with socio-academic events included
Maximum team size: 3
Team anonymity: Yes
Format (international rounds): Stand-up, 3 issues, 2 speakers, 30 to 35 minutes (including 1-speaker rebuttal); up to 3 rounds; 9,000-word (incl fn) pleadings for each side
Memorial weightage: Determines seeding
Advanced round qualification priority: Scores
Registration fee: Varies
Repeat participation: Allowed
Multiple teams from same institution: Not allowed
Most championships: George Washington University tied with National Law School of India University (3)
Official website | facebook | X | LinkedIn
Past winners
Champion (no of teams)
2023 (77): China University of Political Science and Law
2022: Leiden University
2021 (online): Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
2020 (online): National Law University, Delhi
2019 (81): University of Ljubljana
2018: University of Pretoria
2017 (74): National Law School of India University
2016 (58): National and Kapodistrian University
2015 (58): University of Mississippi
2014 (61): National Law University, Delhi
2013 (60): Georgetown University
2012: National Law School of India University
2011 (43): Florida State University
2010 (48): George Washington University
2009 (41): National Law School of India University
2008 (51): University of New South Wales
2007 (54): George Washington University
2006 (56): University of Auckland
2005 (50): George Washington University
2004 (38): Leiden University
2003 (25): University of Auckland
2002 (23): Georgetown University
2001: National University of Singapore
2000: University of Paris XI
1999: Vanderbilt University
1998: University of North Carolina
1997: University of Paris XI
1996: University of Helsinki
1995: University of North Carolina
1994: Marshall University
1993: Leiden University
Championship finalist
2023: University of Cologne
2022: George Washington University
2021 (online): National Law School of India University
2020 (online): University of Vienna
2019: University of Calabar
2018: Symbiosis International University
2017: University of Mississippi
2016: Obafemi Awolowo University
2015: National and Kapodistrian University
2014: Florida State University
2013: Leiden University
2012: National and Kapodistrian University
2011: National University of Singapore
2010: National University of Singapore
2009: Georgetown University
2008: University of Augsburg
2007: University of Queensland
2006: McGiill University
2005: National University of Singapore
2004: Georgetown University
2003: Georgetown University
2002: University of New South Wales
2001: University of North Carolina
2000: Hamline University
1999: University of Paris XI
1998: University of Helsinki
1997: University of North Carolina
1996: University of Wyoming
1995: Leiden University
1994: University of Helsinki
1993: George Washington University
Best oralist
2023: University of Cologne
2022: George Washington University
2021 (online): National Law School of India University
2020 (online): University of Vienna
2019: University of Calabar
2018: University of Pretoria
2017: University of Mississippi
2016: National and Kapodistrian University
2015: National and Kapodistrian University
2014: National Law University, Delhi
2013: Georgetown University
2012: National Law School of India University
2011: National University of Singapore
2010: National University of Singapore
2009: National Law School of India University
2008: University of New South Wales
2007: University of Queensland
2006: McGill University
2005: National University of Singapore
2004: Georgetown University
2003: Georgetown University
2002: Georgetown University
2001: University of North Carolina
2000: Hamline University
1999: Vanderbilt University
1998: University of North Carolina
1997: University of Paris XI
Best memorials
2023: China University of Political Science and Law
2022: Leiden University
2021: National Law School of India University
2020: University of Vienna
2019: McGill University
2018: Belarusian State University
2017: National Law School of India University
2016: McGill University
2015: University of Mississippi
2014: Florida State University
2013: Georgetown University
2012: National Law School of India University
2011: National University of Singapore
2010: National University of Singapore
2009: Georgetown University
2008: University of Augsburg
2007: University of Queensland
2006: McGill University
2005: National University of Singapore
2004: Leiden University
2003: University of Bremen
2002: University of New South Wales
2001: University of North Carolina
2000: University of Paris XI
1999: University of Paris XI
1998: University of Helsinki
1997: University of Paris XI