The global finals of the 2026 Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot (FDI Moot) opened in Shenzhen on October 23 and run until October 27. It's the first time the global finals of one of the world's three major arbitration moot competitions have been held in China. Nearly 400 law students representing 72 teams across 33 countries and regions are taking part, alongside 182 arbitration experts and judges from 37 countries and regions. Conducted in English, the competition follows real arbitration procedures, including written pleadings, oral advocacy and responses to tribunal questions.
The FDI Moot is considered alongside the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court and the Willem C.Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot as the "three major global moot court competitions." Huang Guoyong, Assistant President and Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Development of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), said the global finals had never been held in China and that hosting them in Shenzhen is of historic significance. SCIA introduced the event in 2020 and launched the China qualifying "Shenzhen Cup," which has been held for seven consecutive years. The number of Chinese university teams participating each year has grown from a handful to more than 40, with their results steadily improving at the global level.
SCIA, the German Arbitration Institute and the FDI Moot organizer also held side seminars on Asia-Europe investment disputes and sanctions, open to students and practitioners. Rouven Bodenheimer, vice president of the German Arbitration Institute, said the event gives young lawyers worldwide a platform to compete and exchange views. He noted that the investment dispute landscape is changing, with more Chinese investors as claimants and Germany and some European countries more often as respondents.
The event reflects Shenzhen's growing role in cross-border dispute resolution. In 2025, SCIA accepted more than 14,000 new commercial arbitration cases involving a total of 154.3 billion yuan, exceeding 100 billion yuan for four consecutive years. In the 2025 International Arbitration Survey conducted by Queen Mary University of London, Shenzhen was ranked the most preferred arbitration seat and SCIA's rules were ranked among the most preferred sets of arbitration rules. The event supports Shenzhen's effort to build an international investment joint arbitration center.
Students from the Czech Republic and Poland said the moot offered valuable training in advocacy and legal drafting, as well as a chance to meet peers and practitioners. They also praised Shenzhen's modern appearance, friendly people and food.
Reporter | Cai Minling
Photos | SCIA
