The Jessup Russian National Rounds, held from February 5 to 9, 2025, at the prestigious Moscow State University of International Relations (MGIMO University), concluded with high drama and outstanding performances by participating law students. For Pericles Law Center, this event is not only a celebration of the Russian legal community’s achievements but also a cherished opportunity to connect with future legal professionals in Russia.
We want to honor Russian Jessup National Administrator, Evgenia Neverova and the firm of Asari Legal, for putting in untold hours and unimaginable efforts to keep this competition going in Russia despite the numerous challenges it has faced in recent years.
Since its founding, Pericles Law Center has been a long-standing supporter of the Jessup Russia competition. This year, two Pericles professors served as judges during the qualifying rounds: Dean Marian Dent, who played a key role in establishing the first Russian Jessup competition, and Professor Vladimir Lissniak, Pericles’ President. Pericles’ LL.M. alumnus, Artem Sirota, served as a judge in the semi-final rounds. Other Pericles alumni and professors, such as Paul Engelke who teaches Legal English, White Collar Criminal Law, and Change Leadership at Pericles, and Donald Cannon, who teaches Approaching Legal English, and who constantly donates his time to help Jessup hopefuls with their English writing and logical skills, were on hand this year to lend the teams moral support and share in the festivities.
The competition argued the 2025 Jessup problem, titled “The Case Concerning the Neagea Sea.” This complex case addressed four critical issues in international law:
A. The rights and obligations of the international community when two individuals claim to be the legitimate president of a state.
B. The invocation of immunity for government officials accused of grave human rights violations.
C. The legal consequences of receding coastlines for the maritime zones of coastal states.
D. The interpretation of the compromissory clause in a treaty establishing a regional organization.
Twelve teams from across Russia participated in the competition this year, which began with preliminary rounds held in a hybrid format (offline teams and online judges). The advanced rounds took place entirely offline at MGIMO University.
In the Jessup Competition teams must argue both sides of the case—Applicant and Respondent—in each round. This dual perspective challenges participants to think critically, adapt their arguments, and develop a well-rounded understanding of the legal issues. This rigorous preparation that makes Jessup an unparalleled training ground for aspiring international lawyers. Former Russian Jessup participants are practicing law, teaching, and resolving disputes in top institutions all around the world.
As the competition reached its climax, the spotlight turned on the victorious teams—the winners of the Jessup Competition Russia 2025. The Respondent team from MGIMO University emerged as the champion, earning the honor of representing Russia at the International Rounds in Washington, D.C., in April 2025. The runner-up Applicant team from Moscow State University will also go to Washington to compete.
The Russian Jessup competition also celebrated other remarkable achievements. For Pericles Law Center, one of the most anticipated moments was the announcement of the Jessup Spirit Award and the Best Coach Award—the only awards in which the winners are chosen by the teams themselves, in online polling and essays to support their choices. These accolades recognize not only legal excellence but also the core values of teamwork, enthusiasm, and mentorship that define the Jessup experience. The prizes for both the Jessup Spirit Award and the Best Coach Award were plaques, symbolizing their outstanding contributions to the competition.
The Jessup Spirit Award was awarded to Astrakhan State University, a team that exemplified professionalism, camaraderie, and a steadfast commitment to the competition’s ideals. The team traveled from far away to compete, and did it with humor, passion and team spirit.
The Best Coach Award went to Matvey Tarasov, coach of the HSE team, whose exceptional guidance and leadership propelled his team to success. His team members wrote accolades to his ability to motivate every single member individually, understanding their unique weaknesses and challenges, to make him an outstanding mentor. The award was especially poignant for him, as he announced at the final rounds that this was his last year of coaching.
Additionally, Pericles awarded the five team members of Moscow University for Industry and Finance “Synergy” a certificate for free courses at Pericles, recognizing their exceptional dedication and team spirit during the competition. Synergy has not been very active in Jessup in the past—they are just getting started, but can make their mark as they gain experience to become major competitors. With our free course certificates, we want to help to get them there in their writing, logic and argument skills.
Sofia Cropotova from the Higher School of Economics, also won a free Pericles course for her excellent performance as Best Oralist of the competition.
At the very end of the awards ceremony, Pericles Law Center was thrilled to be honored with a plaque from the administrator of Jessup Russia, as a "Friend of Jessup Russia," in recognition of our support and contributions to the competition.
Beyond the national rounds, Pericles Law Center continues to support the Jessup—which we view as vital to opening students’ horizons to the importance of international law and the possibilities to practice law in the international arena. Throughout the year, the Center offers a range of programs designed to prepare students for the challenges of international legal practice.
Pericles sponsors a specialized Jessup Summer School that, in a mere two weeks, simulates the upcoming competition and builds students’ knowledge of international law, and hones their skills in advanced research, writing, and advocacy.
Our English language courses in legal writing, oral advocacy and various doctrinal law courses in international business law and the practices of common law countries are invaluable not only for Jessup participants but also for aspiring legal professionals aiming for internationally oriented legal careers.
Pericles sponsors a specialized Jessup Summer School that, in a mere two weeks, simulates the upcoming competition and builds students’ knowledge of international law, and hones their skills in advanced research, writing, and advocacy.
Our English language courses in legal writing, oral advocacy and various doctrinal law courses in international business law and the practices of common law countries are invaluable not only for Jessup participants but also for aspiring legal professionals aiming for internationally oriented legal careers.