Many students say they want to become lawyers. Far fewer get the chance to stand up, argue a case and be questioned by a panel. The Dispute: ICJ Edition gives school students that chance. On Friday, November 13, 2026, the Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL) at LUMS in DHA Lahore, Lahore hosts a moot court competition modelled on proceedings at the International Court of Justice.
What Is The Dispute: ICJ Edition?
The Dispute: ICJ Edition is a moot court competition for O Level and A Level students. Teams take on the roles of counsel for states and argue a legal dispute in the style of the International Court of Justice. It is organised by the Law and Politics Society at LUMS, a student run society known for national and international moots, panel talks and court visits.
For a school student in Lahore, this is rare exposure. It brings law, international relations and public speaking into one event, in a university setting rather than a classroom.
Event Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event | The Dispute: ICJ Edition |
| Format | Moot court competition simulating the International Court of Justice |
| Date | Friday, November 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL), LUMS, U Block, Phase 5, DHA, Lahore |
| Open to | O Level and A Level students |
| Organiser | Law and Politics Society, LUMS |
What Is the ICJ and Why Simulate It?
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It sits at the Peace Palace in The Hague and does two main things. It settles legal disputes between states, and it gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN bodies.
Disputes that reach the ICJ often involve borders, maritime rights, treaties and the use of force. That makes the court a strong model for students, because every argument must rest on international law, evidence and clear reasoning rather than opinion alone.
Learn How a Moot Court Works
A moot court is a simulated court hearing. Participants receive a fictional case with a set of facts and legal issues. Teams then prepare written arguments and present them orally, usually speaking for one side. A panel acting as judges asks questions, tests weak points and scores the performance.
The pressure is part of the point. You must know your case well enough to answer a question you did not expect.
Skills That Students Can Build
A moot competition builds skills that matter far beyond law. Students learn to research quickly, structure an argument, speak with confidence and respond calmly when challenged. These abilities help in debate, university interviews, academic writing and any career that involves persuasion.
Who Can Take Part?
This edition is aimed at O Level and A Level students, which makes it a useful first step for anyone considering law, politics or international relations at university. You do not need prior moot experience, but a genuine interest in current affairs and argument will help. Students who prefer to watch and learn may also benefit from being around the event. Ask the organisers whether observers or guests are allowed.
How to Prepare for the Competition
Start by understanding what the ICJ does and how states bring cases to it. Read a few well known judgments in simple summaries to see how legal reasoning is structured.
Practise speaking in short, clear points rather than long speeches. Judges value precision, so each sentence should serve your argument. Work as a team too, because good moot teams divide issues sensibly and support each other during questions. Finally, rehearse with questions. Ask friends or teachers to interrupt you, challenge your claims and force you to defend them. This is the closest practice to the real event.
Why SAHSOL at LUMS Is a Fitting Venue
SAHSOL is the law school of the Lahore University of Management Sciences and one of the best known legal education settings in the country. Hosting a school level moot there gives students a first taste of university life, including classrooms, courtrooms and the campus atmosphere. For many participants, it may be the first time they see what studying law could feel like.
Getting to SAHSOL in DHA Phase 5
The venue is in U Block, Phase 5, DHA, which is easy to reach from nearby parts of DHA Lahore. If you are travelling from DHA Phase 6, plan your route in advance and leave extra time, since morning traffic and campus entry checks can slow arrival. Search for SAHSOL LUMS by name in your map app, and keep your event confirmation or student identification ready when you reach the gate.
Make It a Full Day Out
Competitions are tiring, and a good meal afterwards helps. My guide to things to do in DHA Phase 6 lists places to eat, relax and celebrate with family and teammates once the day is over.
Final Thoughts
The Dispute: ICJ Edition gives young Lahore students a rare chance to argue like international lawyers. It builds confidence, sharpens thinking and offers a real look at legal life inside a respected law school. If you are a student with an interest in law, or a parent supporting one, confirm the details, prepare well and treat it as the start of something bigger.