IACHR Moot Court

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) was established in 1979 by the OAS to help enforce the American Convention on Human Rights. It hears and rules on cases of human rights violations within the hemisphere, and issues opinions on matters of legal interpretation.  Member states voluntarily submit to the court's jurisdiction, and are brought before the IACHR by "petitioners," or people who feel their human rights have been abused or violated.

The IACHR Moot Court Competition emulates the proceedings of the actual IACHR and uses a similar format. First, written cases are submitted to the court on behalf of both the state and petitioner.  Second, oral arguments for both sides are heard, and a judgment is rendered. 

Baylor participates in the Moot Court Competition each spring as two-person teams arguing before a panel of judges against opposing counsel from competing universities. Contact Dr. Mark McGraw mark_mcgraw@baylor.edu for more information about IACHR Moot Court.