Kent success at the inaugural WIPO IP Moot Competition in Geneva

Only team from the UK to reach the Quarter Final Round in Geneva

Two undergraduate law students from Kent Law School recently competed in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s inaugural – All Roads Lead to Geneva – Moot Court Competition. This unique opportunity allowed law students to engage with novel issues arising from the intersection of copyright law, cultural heritage, NFTs, and Generative AI in a simulated court setting, fostering advocacy skills and deepening their understanding of intellectual property law.

They did fantastically well, being the only team from the UK to reach the quarter finals, held in Geneva in April 2025.

Hear from Sidra and Sanvir about their experiences.

First Sidra Ahmed explains that:

‘I’m about to enter my final year of the Law LLB at the University of Kent. I’ve come from Canada, where I completed my BA in Psychology, before attending Kent. The WIPO IP Moot Competition was an intense 4-5 month moot competition. Essentially, it was a series of mock proceedings based on hypothetical facts.

I had received an email from someone in the University who had heard about the competition. At the time I had just learned that I wasn’t successful in a different moot competition. I was also enrolled in the Intellectual Property (IP) module at Kent Law School, which I was really enjoying. I figured why not try and take what I learned from the last moot and see if I could be more successful in another (and I was!). I also knew that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) was a huge, reputable, international organisation in IP which would help me understand if my interest in IP was temporary or genuine passion. At the back of my mind, I knew, at the least, it could open me up to valuable networking opportunities.
Essentially, I figured if I didn’t try, I would close myself off completely from something that could be incredibly valuable to developing and proving my persistence, identifying my interests, and possibly making connections with people that seemed out of my reach otherwise. In other words, “why not!”.

I first had to find a partner of course. I convinced Sanvir (not too much convincing needed as the competition spoke for itself) and we submitted a video application. They gave you a list of “themes” and some questions which were focused around AI, NFT’s and how they intersect with copyright. There wasn’t too much direction, just said to refer to international legal frameworks and national laws and make a 5 minute video that showed your grasp on the vast body of information.

After our application was successful we were tasked with creating a memorial for both the applicant and respondent. The organisers sent a large document entitled “hypothetical facts”, which was incredibly detailed to say the least (they made up an entire continent, comprised of four countries, introduced complicated indigenous issues, issues regarding domestication of certain Acts, and gave immense contextual detail!). We were also sent a list of international treaties that were to be considered ratified, along with hypothetical Acts from the countries they had created in the facts. Effectively, there were numerous copyright claims being made by the applicant, along with counterclaims by the respondent, creating a very complex case.
After a few weeks, we were told we made it to the next round which was online. This encompassed 3 proceedings: one moot as the applicant, one moot as the respondent, and one “ex parte” hearing, all in front of a panel of 3 judges (which were WIPO directors or other WIPO professionals).
The top 12 teams were then selected to go to Geneva for three days for in person rounds at the WIPO headquarters. This consisted of 4 “rounds”. In the first round, you had to act once as the applicant and once as the respondent. Top 8 teams make it to the second round, the quarterfinals (which included us!), from which point it became a knockout system. 4 teams make it to semi-finals and then 2 for the finals. Unfortunately, we were knocked out after the quarterfinals. The final moot was judged by a panel of 5, instead of the usual 3, comprised of WIPO directors.

It was an incredible experience! Very different from other moots I’ve done and incredibly intense considering how many rounds there are. Beyond that, the hypothetical facts were very detailed and the legal framework was vast to say the least. There was also an intersection of indigenous issues that made everything even more complex. The judges asked very tough questions so you really came out of the experience with a solid grasp on emerging technologies and the issues they pose to the world of IP- coming from someone who didn’t understand Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) at all, this is saying a lot!

There was a lot of networking opportunities throughout the in person rounds with top IP professionals from around the world, which was very helpful in overcoming imposter syndrome- you really felt like you were a part of their world and that you belonged to be there, regardless of how far you made it in the competition.

Getting to walk around and compete in the headquarters for 3 days was also very cool! Every participant was welcoming and friendly and we all orchestrated hang outs in our free time. You spend so much time with everyone over the three days that you can’t help but walk out of the experience with numerous friends from around the world. Beyond that the director of WIPO joins personally, giving you access to an amazing connection!

For me, the IP module was the first point in time that I considered focusing on IP in my career. Stumbling across this competition just further confirmed that inclination. I am currently looking to get my foot even further in the door by focusing my attention on IP specialised chambers and firms for work experience.’ 

Next, Sanvir Mann explains that:

‘I am in the final year of my law degree at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. I am from Canada and previously completed a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at York University in Toronto.

The WIPO IP Moot Court Competition is the first moot ever held by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

My teammate Sidra found the competition and invited me to join. After reviewing the problem and understanding the format, we decided to apply. It was a chance to work on a new legal challenge in an international setting and be part of something that was being done for the first time.

The experience was challenging, fast paced, and extremely valuable. Each phase tested different skills. The video and online rounds required us to present clear and persuasive arguments remotely. The in-person rounds in Geneva required more dynamic preparation and the ability to respond to live judge intervention. Every round involved questions from the bench, and we quickly learned that the level and type of intervention varied significantly depending on the judge. Some asked detailed technical questions, while others focused more on structure or clarity.

What became very clear throughout the competition was that presentation mattered just as much as legal content. Judges paid close attention to how arguments were delivered, how clearly points were structured, and how confidently we responded under pressure. Arguing both sides in a single day required adaptability and a complete grasp of the legal and factual framework. Competing alongside teams from around the world made the experience even more valuable.

Taking part in this competition helped develop practical skills that are directly relevant to legal work. It strengthened my oral advocacy, legal writing, and ability to work through complex material under time pressure. The subject matter was also highly relevant to current developments in law and gave us experience with the kinds of legal problems that are becoming more prominent.

Competing in an international forum gave me a clearer sense of how global legal institutions operate and how the law is adapting to new technologies. It is also something I can confidently speak about in interviews and legal environments, particularly as I look ahead to practising law in Canada. Being selected for the Geneva rounds and reaching the quarterfinals is a strong addition to my CV, and shows that I have experience working on high-level legal issues in a competitive and international setting.

Being part of the first-ever WIPO moot was a significant milestone. It was a professionally run competition that offered a high standard of judging and meaningful engagement with legal issues. I am thankful to Sidra for encouraging us to apply and to the organisers at WIPO for creating a space where students could participate in serious legal argument at an international level. Reaching the quarterfinals was a proud moment and I would encourage any students with an interest in law and technology to consider applying in the future.’

Let’s finish with Sidra’s final thoughts on why participating in competitions like this can be so valuable:

‘I would say to anyone reading this, regardless of your interest in IP, to try and apply for the competition. The networking opportunity alone exposes you to numerous career trajectories (and reputable connections to help you be successful in whatever it is that you do). The experience itself really forces you to develop strong advocacy skills as you learn from each individual proceeding and are able to apply it immediately in the next. I feel this is more realistic – in your professional career, you’ll likely be engaging with things back-to-back. Getting used to standing in front of judges or preparing material again and again is just so valuable and you tend not to get the opportunity in other moots that run shorter competitions.’