Breaking into the Oral Round for the First Time! -2025 Nuremberg Moot Court Competition Report

B4 Hitomi Hanatsuka

From July 23 to 26, 2025, the oral rounds of the 2025 Nuremberg Moot Court Competition were held in Nuremberg, Germany. Now in its 13th year, this highly competitive event selected only 40 teams from 129 applicants to present their arguments in Nuremberg. For our team, qualifying for the oral rounds for the first time was a truly special moment, filled with both joy and surprise.

A Challenge in a Historic Courtroom

The competition took place in Courtroom 600 in the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, which was historically used to prosecute major Nazi war criminals after World War II. The weight of history was palpable the moment we stepped inside. This year marked our second attempt at the competition. On our first try, we narrowly missed qualifying for the oral rounds during the memorial phase. With that disappointment as motivation, we spent the following year preparing diligently, and finally earned the chance to compete in the oral rounds.

We traveled with our coach, Associate Professor Hiroshige Fujii, and five team members. The schedule began with the opening ceremony on the 23rd, followed by preliminary rounds on the 24th and 25th, and the finals on the 26th. The team photo taken upon our arrival captures the mixture of anticipation and nervous excitement as we prepared to face this historic and prestigious challenge.

Intense Preliminary Rounds

In the preliminaries, we argued as the prosecution on the 24th and as the defense on the 25th. Before each session, we held final rehearsals with Professor Fujii, carefully reviewing every detail. As a team, we felt both the weight of standing on such an honorable stage and the excitement of finally putting months of preparation into practice. Personally, I was extremely nervous just before my turn, unsure whether my arguments would hold up. Yet, once inside the courtroom, the presence of the judges and the solemn atmosphere gave us confidence, and each of us was able to present our arguments in our respective roles with clarity and conviction.

The judges for our sessions were distinguished professionals actively working in the field of international law, including judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and experienced legal practitioners. Presenting our prepared arguments before such accomplished figures was both nerve-wracking and a tremendous honor, providing an invaluable experience.

During the competition, I was responsible for the count concerning the admissibility of proceedings in the absence of the suspect—a topic closely related to the ICC’s ongoing Kony Case, which remains highly relevant today. While preparing for the competition, I kept track of the latest developments in the case to inform my arguments. Notably, the Kony Case is scheduled for a confirmation of charges hearing in absentia in September 2025, and following its progress allowed me to deepen both my legal knowledge and my understanding of real-world international judicial practice.

Learning and Inspiration

Although we did not advance to the finals, the arguments presented by teams in the semi-finals and finals were truly impressive and highly inspiring. Observing the other teams’ careful reasoning and confident conduct served as a powerful motivation and led us to set a clear objective, which was to deliver arguments of equivalent caliber in future competitions. The Nuremberg Moot Court Competition offers not only an opportunity to deepen one’s legal knowledge but also a valuable experience in appreciating the responsibility, sound judgment, and composure required of prosecutors and defense attorneys when presenting arguments in high-stakes situations.

After the competition, we gathered with Professor Fujii for dinner. Reflecting on the intense days of preparation and performance, enjoying renowned German sausages accompanied by local beer provided more than a simple meal—it offered an opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts, strengthen the bonds within our team, and appreciate the fulfillment derived from both learning and challenging ourselves.

Conclusion

Qualifying for the oral rounds this year represented a significant step in our growth and offered a valuable opportunity to identify both our strengths and areas for improvement. Throughout the competition, we developed not only legal knowledge and advocacy skills but also teamwork, decision-making, and the ability to confidently express our views under pressure.

We are especially grateful to our coach, Associate Professor Hiroshige Fujii, whose support was indispensable. From providing guidance on multiple rounds of preparation over the past six months to offering practical support during our time in Germany, his mentorship allowed us to focus fully on preparing and competing with confidence.

This experience has provided us with more than a result; it has given us the foundation for future challenges. Our goal is to return next year even stronger, continuing to deepen our knowledge, refine our skills, and embrace new opportunities to learn and grow.