MMCS International Commercial Arbitration Program

Let arbitration fuel your future.

Step into the world of Arbitration

Meticulously designed, multi-phase initiative crafted to equip law students in Maldives with both the theoretical foundations and the practical competencies essential for excelling in international commercial arbitration.

Transform your Legal Career

Thoughtfully stretched across five months with half of the sessions taking place in person and the other half online, giving you the time to grow, absorb and evolve – without overwhelming your academic and personal commitments.

2026/27 Program

Phase 1: Learn the Language of Arbitration

Participants will receive intensive training on the fundamentals of international commercial arbitration.

Session 1: Introduction to ADR and Arbitration (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 1 May 2026, Friday)
Session 2: Agreement to Arbitrate (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 2 May 2026, Saturday)
Session 3: Applicable Laws (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 8 May 2026, Friday)
Session 4: Establishment and Organization of the Arbitral Tribunal (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 9 May 2026, Saturday)
Session 5: Powers, Duties & Jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 15 May 2026, Friday)
Session 6: Conduct of the Proceedings (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 16 May 2026, Saturday)
Session 7: Role of National Courts (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 22 May 2026, Friday)
Session 8: Arbitral Award (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 23 May 2026, Saturday)
Session 9: Challenge of Arbitral Awards (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 5 June 2026, Friday)
Session 10: Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 6 June 2026, Saturday)

Phase 2: Understand the CISG

This phase provides participants with a solid understanding of the application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) in cross-border commercial transactions.

Session 11: History and Application (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 12 June 2026, Friday)
Session 12: Formation of the Contract and Sale of Goods (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 13 June 2026, Saturday)
Session 13: Obligations of the Seller and of the Buyer and Passing of Risk (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 19 June 2026, Friday)
Session 14: Remedies (10:30 AM to 12:30 PM on 20 June 2026, Saturday)

Phase 3: Master ICDR Arbitration Rules

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) Arbitration Rules, the institutional rules to be used in the 24th Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot, and learn how to effectively apply them in preparation for the competition.

Session 15: Scope and Commencement (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 26 June 2026, Friday)
Session 16: The Tribunal (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 27 June 2026, Saturday)
Session 17: General Conditions (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 3 July 2026, Friday)
Session 18: Awards (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 4 July 2026, Saturday)
Session 19: Expedited Procedures (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 10 July 2026, Friday)

Phase 4: Advocate with Impact

Participants will develop core skills in both written and oral advocacy.

Session 20: How to read the Vis Moot Problem – Theory (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 11 July 2026, Saturday)
Session 21: How to read the Vis Moot Problem – Practical (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 17 July 2026, Friday)
Session 22: How to research and draft memorandums – Theory (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 18 July 2026, Saturday)
Session 23: How to research and draft memorandums – Practical (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 24 July 2026, Friday)
Session 24: Art and Science of Oral Advocacy (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 25 July 2026, Saturday)

Phase 5: Compete for a spot at the Vis Moot

Participants will be grouped into teams based on their respective institution. These teams will compete in a simulated arbitration setting. One team will ultimately be selected to be trained and sponsored to represent Maldives and their institution at the 24th Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong.

Session 25: Analyzing the Moot Problem (09:30 – 11:30 AM on 31 July 2026, Friday)
Session 26: Breakdown of Procedural Issue 1 for Claimant (10:30 – 11:30 AM on 1 August 2026, Saturday)
Session 27: Breakdown of Procedural Issue 1 for Respondent (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 1 August 2026, Saturday)
Session 28: Breakdown of Procedural Issue 2 for Claimant (09:30 – 10:30 AM on 7 August 2026, Friday)
Session 29: Breakdown of Procedural Issue 2 for Respondent (10:30 – 11:30 AM on 7 August 2026, Friday)
Session 30: Breakdown of Substantive Issue 1 for Claimant (10:30 – 11:30 AM on 8 August 2026, Saturday)
Session 31: Breakdown of Substantive Issue 1 for Respondent (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 8 August 2026, Saturday)
Session 32: Breakdown of Substantive Issue 2 for Claimant (09:30 – 10:30 AM on 14 August 2026, Friday)
Session 33: Breakdown of Substantive Issue 2 for Respondent (10:30 – 11:30 AM on 14 August 2026, Friday)
Session 34: Building the Oral Argument for Claimant (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 15 August 2026, Saturday)
Session 35: Building the Oral Argument for Respondent (09:30 – 11:30 AM at 21 August 2026, Friday)
MOCK MOOT (5 September 2026, Saturday)

Our 2025/26 Program

Our participants delved into international arbitration and advocacy and competed in a Mock Moot, from which two participants were selected to be trained and sponsored to represent Maldives 🇲🇻 and their Institute at the 23rd Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot. The selected team competed on the global stage in Hong Kong 🇭🇰, with their journey extending further to a Pre-Moot in Egypt 🇪🇬 and a visit to Macao 🇲🇴

View the Team's journey ↓

Payment Options

Total Program Cost – MVR 15,350

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in the program?

The program is open to law students from all universities and colleges in the Maldives. Whether you are pursuing a Degree, Diploma, Advanced Certificate, or Certificate level course, you are welcome to apply and be part of the program.

Do I need to be in a specific semester or year of studies?

No. Whether you’re in your first semester or final year – zero experience and 100% potential is all you need.

What will I gain?

As arbitration clauses are a norm in very contract now, you will develop knowledge of must have legal skills that will last you a lifetime. You’ll also receive a Certificate of Completion for any phase completed and exclusive MMCS membership and benefits upon completing the full program.

Is it mandatory to attend all sessions?

While we highly recommend attending as many sessions as possible to gain the full benefit of the program, occasional absences are understandable. Please inform us in advance if you are unable to attend any session, and it will not affect your participation.

If I completed the program previously but was not selected for the Vis Moot, can I participate again?

Yes. You have to register only for Phase 5 + Mock Moot and directly compete to be selected for the Vis Moot.

In Phase 5, if I'm selected for the Vis Moot, will I have to pay again?

No. Once you have paid for the full program, we’ll take care of the rest.

Are seats for the program limited?

Yes, seats are limited for the program and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis upon registration.