The Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition

Each year ECSL organises, together with the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), the European Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition. Regional winners from Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and, since 2021, Latin America then compete in the world finals, held in conjunction with the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC). The final of the Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition has the distinction of being judged by three sitting judges of the International Court of Justice.

The NPOC Austria announces information regarding the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition and the application process on a dedicated website. The NPOC selects students for participation in the Moot Court (usually in autumn) and supports them during their preparation for the competition.

Information on how to participate in the competition can be found on the IISL website and on the ECSL website. If you are interested in participating, please also contact the sub-point of contact at your university.

The NPOC for Space Law Austria has been active in the Moot Court since 2012, organizing it, or sending Teams to participate. Most recently, in the European Rounds in Paris in 2025, the University of Vienna Team sent by the NPOC reached the finals after an astonishing streak of wins in the preliminary rounds.

 

Below you can find a welcome video from the University of Vienna for the 2020 Moot Court:

 

The NPOC Space Law Austria at the University of Vienna reached the final of the European Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court in 2023 and 2025. In 2024 and 2022 the NPOC acted as Local Organiser of the rounds in cooperation with ESA. Click here to see all recent Articles about the NPOC's activies in the Moot Court.