May It Please the Court: Our Journey Through the Price Moot 2026

by Valentin Voith

This year, the University of Vienna was proudly represented at the Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition by a team composed of Sarah Kermer, Melina Klambauer, Emily Koch, Sayla Saransig, Christian Stehlik, and Valentin Voith, accompanied by the coach Martin Tomus and co-coach Michael Schmidbauer.

A case about cutting-edge surveillance technology

The 2025/2026 case explored the tension between national security, freedom of expression, and the right to privacy in a state confronted with the threat of transnational drug cartels. At its heart was the alleged surveillance of a journalist and her source, who sought to shed light on the covert use of facial recognition technology. Around this, the case unfolded between whistleblowing and state secrecy, raising questions about the protection of journalistic sources and the consequences of online speech. 

With key facts left deliberately uncertain, the challenge was not only to argue the law but to construct a convincing narrative in a case where the truth itself seemed open to interpretation. In doing so, it forced us to confront fundamental tensions: how far a state can go in protecting national security and public order, and at what point that very protection begins to erode the freedoms it is meant to defend.

From Paris to Oxford

After months of intense preparation, including drafting the memorials and a demanding pleading boot camp, our international journey began at the end of January at the European Rounds hosted by Université Paris Cité in Paris. After an intense but rewarding competition, with hot benches asking challenging questions that kept us on our toes, we were thrilled to qualify for the International Rounds in Oxford and to be awarded Best Memorials in Europe.

Paris also gave us something equally valuable: perspective. We left with a clear understanding of what we needed to improve. In the weeks that followed, we refined our structure, sharpened our key arguments, diversified our sources, and polished our rhetorical delivery. In this regard, the many “guest judges” in preparatory pleading sessions, both before and after the Europe Rounds, proved invaluable. They ensured we arrived in Oxford not just prepared, but “battle tested”.

The Oxford experience

The International Rounds in Oxford, held from 13 to 17 April, were more than just a competition. Alongside the pleadings, a program of lectures, discussions, and social events offered many opportunities to engage with fellow students, as well as with esteemed academics and practitioners serving as judges from all over the world. All of this unfolded against the historic backdrop of Oxford, whose centuries-old colleges and rich intellectual tradition made the city itself a quiet star of the Moot.

In the preliminary rounds, we faced strong teams from India, China, and Qatar. Each round was demanding in its own way, and none of our opponents made it easy for us, each advancing their own distinct line of argumentation. Still, through consistent and compelling performances by all team members, we managed to win all three of our matches.

With that, we achieved something unprecedented. For the first time, the University of Vienna advanced to the Octo-Finals of the Price Media Law Moot Court, placing among the top 16 teams worldwide.

Our Octo-Final round brought a challenging matchup against a team from the United States. Pleading as Respondent, a role being particularly challenging in this year’s competition, we were met with a highly engaged bench and a series of probing questions. Although we delivered a solid performance, the round ultimately marked the end of our journey in the competition.

A final worth watching and a rewarding ending

The final round featured inspiring, top-notch performances by the Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada, and the University of San Agustin, Philippines. It was argued before a distinguished bench including, among others, a judge from the European Court of Human Rights, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, and the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. The University of San Agustin ultimately emerged as the winner.

At the award ceremony, we celebrated our team’s placement among the top 16 teams worldwide and the achievements of teams and oralists from around the world until our next moment arrived:

The University of Vienna was awarded Best Memorials worldwide.

What followed was the most rewarding feeling that all those months of research, drafting, redrafting, and fine-tuning had paid off in the most extraordinary way. 

The legacy beyond the competition

This year’s moot carried a particularly meaningful undertone, as it followed the passing of Monroe E. Price, whose vision brought this competition to life. His legacy, connecting people across borders through a shared commitment to freedom of expression and human rights, was felt throughout the week.

And perhaps that is what makes the Price Moot so special. It is not only about competing. It is about engaging with ideas that matter, meeting interesting students and coaches from all around the world who challenge and inspire you and becoming part of an inspiring community that has been forming over decades. 

We return to Vienna with sharpened skills, a deep sense of gratitude to those who supported us and experiences that will continue to shape our paths ahead.