Eighteenth IRLM (2025)

The Eighteenth International Roman Law Moot Court Competition was hosted by the University of Oxford, at venues including the Law Faculty’s St Cross Building, Christ Church, All Souls College, St Catherine’s College and St Hugh’s College.

The relative brevity of the libellus belied the layered complexity of the issues with which it required teams to grapple: one or more settlement agreements, double discharge, warranties and defects in sale all featured in the fact-pattern that generated both a condictio and an actio empti. Adding to the excitement, teams adopted noticeably different argumentative strategies, both in handling the facts and in characterising the legal issues and remedies.

2025 was the first year in which the Moot adopted a six-match preliminary format. Students enjoyed the additional chance to moot this afforded, while judges praised those teams who took full advantage of the opportunity to revise and refine their arguments between rounds.

Four preliminary rounds were held in the St Cross Building, home to the Oxford Law Faculty. Two preliminary rounds were held in Christ Church, which generously made available for the semi-finals the spectacular Upper Library and Chapter House. The Small and Grand Finals, along with the Gala Dinner, were held at All Souls College. Other elements of the programme took place in St Catherine’s College and St Hugh’s College.