Center for International Legal Studies
Founder & Organiser
Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot
2026 - Globals Shenzhen, China from 23 to 27 October 2026
Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) will host the 2026 Globals at the SCIA Tower, Qianhai FTZ, in Shenzhen, Greater Bay Area, China. The 23-27 October dates follow immediately on Hong Kong Arbitration Week (HKAW) 2026.
China Visa Information
Nationals of certain countries enjoy visa-free entry. Nationals of these and some additional countries enjoy visa-free transit, whereby e.g. Hong Kong counts as a third-country for this purpose. Hong Kong Airport is about a 1-hour drive or 30-minute ferry ride from Shenzhen.
For participants not nationals of the above countries, e.g. India, we will collect passport details and the SCIA will issue invitation letters in mid-August after the Regional Rounds have concluded.
Shenzhen Hotel Information
Some hotel suggestions in Bao'an and Nanshan Districts for teams.
Flyers English French Spanish
Topic
The FDI Moot has become the premier investor-State arbitration Moot. Investor-State arbitration (ISA) remains the most effective remedy for foreign investors to ensure that host States do not discriminate against them, treat them fairly, and with due process, and that host States keep their promises to foreign investors. ISA generally encourages rule of law, due process, and transparency. ISA tribunals often have to weigh the impacts of policy changes, domestic and international conflicts on investments and balance competing international and domestic interests and legal instruments. Host States must be cognizant of their international investment protection obligations when regulating, often not so much in what their domestic objectives are but in how they pursue those with transparency, consistency, and predictability.
The FDI Moot helps future lawyers attain a practical understanding of these issues. The case and hearings offer a unique forum for academics and practitioners from around the world to discuss developments - and assess emerging talents.
Timing
The FDI Moot Global Rounds are end-October/start-November. Global teams submit claimant and Respondent memorials in September. There are mixed qualifying/financing rounds for Africa, Asia Pacific, and South Asia in August, in some cases preceded by National Rounds (China, Egypt, Vietnam). See also https://fdimoot.org/calendar.php
Partner institutions (participating universities, arbitration centres) organize (non-competitive practice) pre moots in late-September and October.
Venue
The Global venue rotates, e.g. 2022 in London, 2023 in Lucknow, 2024 in Berlin, 2025 in Boston, ....
Some Regional venues have become online only due to awareness of travel costs and carbon footprint concerns. See also https://fdimoot.org/regionals.php
Costs
Teams pay registration fees that differ depending on their home country’s income level and whether they are participating directly in the Globals or via a Regional or National Round. See also https://fdimoot.org/teams/
Teams competing in person must bear their own travel and lodging costs. Limited stipends from the Thomas Wälde Fund are available to assist low- and middle-income teams with part of their travel costs; application forms sent to low- and middle-income teams after those advancing to the Globals are determined in the Regionals.
Teams
See Rules, 3.1. Team Composition https://fdimoot.org/Rules.pdf#page=4