Second Anniversary of the PCA Buenos Aires Office and Third Edition of the PCA Buenos Aires Vis Pre-Moot 2022
On 17 March 2022, the Buenos Aires Office of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) hosted a reception in commemoration of its second anniversary. Members of Argentina’s and Latin America’s arbitral, diplomatic, and judicial communities gathered at the San Martín Palace, seat of the PCA Buenos Aires Office.
During the ceremony, Mr. Julian Bordaçahar, PCA Representative in the Argentine Republic, noted the long history of cooperation between Argentina and the PCA, spanning from the instrumental role played by the Argentine delegation, led by Minister Luis Maria Drago, at the Second Hague Peace Conference of 1907 to the recent establishment of the PCA Buenos Aires Office. Mr. Bordaçahar also remarked on the significant achievements of the PCA Buenos Aires Office already in its first two years: the administration of several cases arising out of the RenovAr Program, the renewable energies tender process issued in Argentina in 2016; the hosting in Buenos Aires of the first investment arbitration hearing unrelated to Argentina; and the promotion of the advantages and features of arbitration among the Argentine legal, judicial, and academic communities.
The following day, on 18 March 2022, the PCA hosted practice moot rounds for the 29th Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, also at its offices at the San Martín Palace. The following teams, from five different countries, attended:
- McGill University (Canada);
- National University of Rosario (Argentina);
- Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (Brazil);
- Universidad Francisco Marroquín (Guatemala);
- University Centre of Joao Pessoa (Brazil);
- University of Buenos Aires (Argentina);
- University of Montevideo (Uruguay); and
- University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
During the PCA Buenos Aires Vis Pre-Moot, each team had the chance to plead three times before tribunals composed of international arbitration specialists from various jurisdictions and different legal backgrounds. The teams received detailed feedback on their pleadings in order to assist their preparation before the Willem C. Vis Moot competition commences on 8 April 2022.
After three rounds, the team with the highest average total score was the Universidad Francisco Marroquín. The runner-up was the University of Buenos Aires, while McGill University placed third. The oralist with the highest score was Ms. María del Pilar Marchena from the Universidad Francisco Marroquín.
The PCA would like to thank all teams and arbitrators for making the third edition of the PCA Buenos Aires Vis Pre-Moot a success. The PCA wishes all teams the best of luck for the forthcoming competition.
