The Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court is an appellate advocacy competition that focuses on international relations topics. The competition simulates an appeal of a trial court decision, so appellate writing and oral advocacy skills are emphasized. Students research a problem, write appellate briefs, and present oral arguments before panels of judges. Teams are required to brief both sides of the problem. There are four possible levels of competition: intra-school, regional, national, and international. Competitors receive one pass/fail credit for writing a brief and one for competing in at the regional competition.

The intra-school selection process takes place during the first few weeks of fall semester. For the 2006-2007 Jessup Competition year, the competition is open to all students who have completed or who are taking Public International Law Research Workshop. Beginning with the 2007-2008 Jessup Competition year, the competition will be open to all students who have completed Public International Law Research Workshops I and II.

Once students are selected for the William Mitchell team, they represent the college at the regional round. The first-place team at regionals goes on to the international round in Washington, D.C. The regional and international rounds occur in February and March, respectively.

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