Tune In for the National Rounds of the Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

February 22, 2026

For Afghanistan, the 2025 26 season marks a particularly meaningful milestone. This year, ALPA College of Liberal Arts & Sciences introduces three teams in the National Round of Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The national rounds will take place from February 27 to March 2, 2026, and the Afghanistan champion team will advance to the international rounds in Washington, DC in April 2026.

The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world’s largest and most prestigious moot court event, bringing together law students from over 100 countries to argue simulated cases before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a time when Afghan students face profound obstacles to education and professional development, this level of participation is more than symbolic. It reflects commitment, resilience, and a refusal to be excluded from the international legal conversation.

ALPA College's three teams are named after towering figures in Afghanistan's intellectual and cultural history:

• Ali Shir Nawaee Team – Honoring the poet and philosopher whose work bridged cultures and languages.

• Mawlana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi Team (Rumi) – Inspired by Rumi’s universal message of dialogue, peace, and understanding.

• Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan Team – Reflecting the reformist spirit and advocacy for unity, progress, and political awakening.

Thanks to the leadership of Ramin Mansoori, Afghanistan will introduce stronger teams this year. Two coordinators manage the operational side of the program at ALPA College. Each of the College's teams includes five core members responsible for research, memorial writing, and oral argument, along with one reserve member who can step in when needed and provide steady support during the long preparation process. In total, this means fifteen core student members and three reserve members across the program. Training and performance are strengthened by three official coaches who work closely with students throughout the season. They guide research plans, improve the structure and clarity of written arguments, sharpen oral advocacy, and help teams develop strategy for both applicant and respondent sides. In addition, international advisors appointed by ILSA provide ongoing mentorship and help ensure the teams’ work meets global Jessup standards.

The Afghanistan Law and Political Science Association (ALPA) plays a pivotal role in enabling Afghan students to compete on the international stage. Beyond coordinating the national competition, ALPA provides comprehensive logistical and academic support to participating teams, helping them navigate the complexities of international law. The organization actively facilitates vital connections with advisors and institutions, broadening students' academic networks and promoting Afghanistan’s presence in global legal forums. Thanks to our partners and individual donors, ALPA secures essential resources such as monthly top-up cards for internet access to enable seamless research and communication & ALPA Jessup Award for the winning team. Through its dedicated leadership, ALPA ensures that Afghan students are not merely competitors, but true ambassadors of their country’s rich legal and intellectual traditions.

Afghanistan's participation in the Jessup Competition generates significant and enduring benefits that reach far beyond the courtroom. On an educational level, it strengthens legal academia by honing advanced advocacy and research skills among Afghanistan law students, raising the standard of legal practice. On the international stage, it establishes Afghanistan as a thoughtful and active participant in global legal panel, bringing well-deserved recognition to its emerging legal talents

By simulating a real case before the International Court of Justice, the Jessup Competition immediately equips students with advanced legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. It also provides an unparalleled platform for young lawyers to build global professional networks and engage directly with the most critical contemporary issues shaping international law.