2026 ALSA International Cultural Heritage Protection Moot

A new ALSA competition has landed!

The ALSA International Cultural Heritage Protection Moot gives law students the opportunity to step into a simulated international courtroom and engage with legal issues that are both intellectually challenging and globally significant.

Focusing on the protection of cultural heritage in situations of armed conflict and crisis, the moot sits at the crossroads of public international law, international humanitarian law, and cultural heritage law. Competitors will work through complex legal questions involving the destruction, protection, preservation, and ownership of cultural property, while considering the responsibilities of states and other actors under international law. Teams will argue a fictional dispute before a simulated situation in the International Court of Justice.

The competition is designed to strengthen the core skills that mooting develops best: careful legal research, precise written advocacy, persuasive oral argument, and the ability to respond to difficult questions under pressure. At the same time, it encourages participants to engage with an area of law that is increasingly important in contemporary international legal practice.

Whether you are interested in international law, drawn to advocacy, or simply looking for a competition that is both distinctive and substantive, the ALSA International Cultural Heritage Protection Moot offers a valuable opportunity to develop your skills while exploring legal questions of real international importance.

Registration Closes: 15 May (11:59pm)

Preliminary Rounds: Early June (exact dates TBC)

SemiFinal Rounds: July 1-10 (exact dates TBC)

Final Round: 12 August, 5:00pm-7:00pm (Sydney)

To express your interest please compete the form here

For any questions and inquiries regarding the moot please contact the organiser Jesse Panovski at administration@alsa.asn.au.