Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot 2025
The Oxford Intellectual Property Moot is widely recognised as the leading international competition in the field of intellectual property law.
The competition begins with an exacting written stage, with universities around the world preparing 3,000‑word memorials for both appellant and respondent. These submissions are assessed on a double‑blind basis with the top 32 teams invited to compete in the oral rounds held at the University of Oxford. Monash University was offered one of these coveted spots, following months of intense research.
The oral rounds consisted of three days of fierce oral advocacy in front of leading IP academics, judges, barristers and solicitors. This year, the grand final panel comprised former Justice of the Supreme Court, Lord Kitchin; the Honourable Mr Justice Meade of the High Court of England and Wales; and barrister and part-time judge, Daniel Alexander KC.
Monash University’s 2025 representatives – Virginia Duker, Francesco Mercadante and Lauren Silke, all in the fifth year of their Bachelor of Laws (Hons) – progressed to the Quarter Finals, having been ranked in the top 8 teams in the competition.
Find out more about mooting with Monash Law
Francesco, Virginia and Lauren at dinner at the Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot 2025.
The 2025 IP Moot Problem
The 2025 problem was set in the fictitious jurisdiction of Erewhon and required teams to argue which international jurisdiction should apply when interpreting the Erewhonian provisions and why, under that law, their client should prevail.
Substantively, the dispute centred on trade mark infringement. In particular, teams were required to argue whether, and to what extent, context is permissible in the “likelihood of confusion” analysis, and whether the anti-dilution protections against blurring and tarnishment were established, including the contentious European Union doctrine of “due cause”.
Virginia and Lauren working on their arguments at the Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot 2025.
Performance in the Oral Rounds at IP Moot 2025
Over the first two days of the competition, the team mooted in four preliminary rounds, twice as appellant and twice as respondent. Based on the team’s success in the preliminary rounds, Monash University progressed to the Quarter Finals on the third day, where they were narrowly edged out by the University of Technology Sydney, who later appeared in the Grand Final but were defeated by the University of Toronto.
In addition to the team’s success, Virginia Duker received special recognition as the competition’s 4th Best Speaker during the preliminary rounds.
Find out more about mooting with Monash Law
William Lye OAM KC, the Honourable Justice Rofe, Lauren Silke, Francesco Mercadante, Virginia Duker and Pat Zappia KC at a practice moot before the Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot 2025.
Celebrating Monash Law moot supporters
Crucial to the team's success was the support of leading academics, members of the judiciary and practitioners who graciously gave their time to assist in the lead-up to the moot.
In particular, Professor Mark Davison offered specialised insight, helping the team craft arguments for both the written and oral rounds.
The team conducted practice moots before the Honourable Justice Rofe, Pat Zappia KC, Craig Smith SC, Andrew Sykes and James Samargis. Through these practices, they honed both their advocacy and legal analysis.
This year’s team also benefited from the insights of Jeremy Brown and Dev Sharma, members of the Monash University team who reached the finals of the 2023 Oxford IP moot.
A special thanks to Monash University’s Chief Moot Coach William Lye OAM KC who assisted the team with their advocacy and oversaw the administration required to get the team to the UK, and Dr Tyrone Berger who accompanied the team to the oral rounds, offering support on the ground.
Monash Law extends its gratitude to the organisers of the Oxford IP moot, led by Professor Emily Hudson, for the seamless coordination of the moot, and acknowledges the efforts of those who generously volunteered their time to support the Monash University team.
Congratulations to Monash Law's moot team
Monash Law congratulates to Virginia Duker, Francesco Mercadante and Lauren Silke for their impressive Quarter Final finish in the 2025 Oxford Intellectual Property Moot. And thanks them for this thrilling account of their mooting achievement. Their success is a testament to the skill, dedication and passion that Monash Law continues to cultivate and champion.
Find out more about mooting with Monash Law
Francesco, Virginia and Lauren on Oxford University Campus at the Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot 2025.