IE Law School named National Champion of the 2026 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

IE Law School has been named the National Champion of 2026 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, the world’s largest and most prestigious moot court competition in international law. 

After winning every round of the Spanish national competition, the IE University team secured first place in the national ranking and qualified to represent Spain at the international rounds in Washington, D.C. Only two universities advance each year. This year, IE University advances alongside Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, leading the national delegation. 

Organized globally by the International Law Students Association (ILSA), the Philip C. Jessup Competition brings together nearly 700 law schools from more than 100 countries to simulate proceedings before the International Court of Justice. Excellence is the baseline; distinction requires strategy, discipline and extraordinary talent. 

In Spain, a total of 52 students from 11 universities participated in the sixteenth edition of the national rounds, underscoring the competitive level and academic rigor of this year’s competition. 

Commitment, Discipline and Long-Term Vision

This year’s team reflects the strength and diversity of IE Law School’s academic pathways: 

• Sabina Narváez (Master in International Legal Studies (LL.M.)) 
• Alexa Couttolenc (Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)) 
• Maria Luiza El Awar (Dual Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Bachelor in International Relations (BIR)) 
• Omobolaji Ebubechukwu (Dual Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Bachelor in International Relations (BIR))

For some team members, particularly Sabina and Alexa, this achievement represents years of preparation, demonstrating remarkable long-term commitment and resilience. 

"The Jessup has sparked an enduring fascination with public international law in me and opened up an array of new career paths. I'll always be thankful for this experience, and I hope next year's team successfully defends IE University's national champion’s title!", says Sabina. 

"I could not be happier to have our hard work recognized, and I am so grateful that I get to spend another two months with my amazing team and coaches. The best part is not the winning, but the road that leads to it, and all the time we’ve spent and will spend together," notes Alexa. 

"No class could teach me as much as the Jessup has taught me in the past few months. It has been an incredibly defining experience," affirms Omobolaji. 

"We turned late nights and rigorous efforts into something truly worthwhile. It only gets better from here," adds Maria Luiza.  

Coaching Rooted in Experience  

The team was guided by Gabriela Echeverría and Sebastián Green, both former Jessup participants who bring first-hand experience of the competition’s rigor and expectations. "The Jessup changes lives—it certainly changed mine and Gabriela's years ago—and is perhaps the most stimulating and challenging experience available to law students today," expresses Sebastián. 

Gabriela Echeverría, a former Jessup World Champion, highlighted the collective effort behind the achievement: "None of this would have been possible without the trust and unwavering support of Soledad Atienza, Dean of IE Law School, and Eugenia Castrillón, Vice Dean of Programs, who believed in this project from the outset."

As a former Jessup World Champion, she understands the discipline and strategic precision the competition demands. This year, she had the privilege of coaching alongside Sebastián, who previously guided a team to victory in the international rounds. His experience and championship mindset added decisive strength to the team’s preparation. 

She emphasizes that the achievement belongs to the students: Sabina, now in her third year with the project, and Alexa, in her second, who represented the team as oralists and delivered outstanding performances throughout the competition; and María and Bolaji, whose analytical rigor, written advocacy and strategic insight shaped the team’s preparation and collective strength. 

The Spanish national rounds were hosted in collaboration with leading law firm Cuatrecasas, reinforcing the strong connection between academic excellence and professional legal practice. 

A Defining Experience on the Global Stage

Participating in Jessup is widely regarded as a transformative milestone for aspiring international lawyers. Beyond the courtroom simulation, the competition develops analytical rigor, persuasive advocacy and a global legal mindset—competencies essential for careers in international law, diplomacy and cross-border practice. 

As the team prepares to compete in Washington, D.C., this achievement reaffirms IE Law School’s commitment to academic excellence, global engagement and the development of internationally minded legal professionals. 

Congratulations to our team—Washington awaits!