UNAIR NEWS – A student team from the Faculty of Law at Universitas Airlangga (FH UNAIR) once again recorded a notable achievement at the 20th Indonesian Round of the International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition (IHLMCC). The competition took place from November 21 to 23, 2025, at the Faculty of Law of Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). Held in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IHLMCC is a flagship annual event regularly attended by members of the International Law Students Association (ILSA).
At the competition, the UNAIR team claimed the 2nd Runner-Up title, while team member Zahra Hanifa Ramadhani was named 3rd Best Oralist, marking a significant accomplishment for the delegation. The team consisted of Mohammad Affsal Gunawan as Head Delegate, Katya Devi Anandini, Zahra Hanifa Ramadhani, and observers Budi Elisabeth Pandjaitan and Gabriella Novena Winarta, who collectively showcased their legal acumen on a national and international platform.
The achievement was supported by the dedicated guidance of the team’s coaches: Anak Agung Gede Fabianara Danurwenda, Farrell Sudarma, and Alissa Angelia, SH, LLM. Their expertise and mentorship were instrumental in preparing the team to compete effectively and cohesively throughout the competition.
Two-stage competition format
In the IHLMCC, participating teams argue both as prosecutors and as defense counsel in a fictional case designed by the organizers. The competition is divided into two principal stages. The first stage, the memorial phase, requires teams to submit written legal memoranda for both roles. Following an evaluation of these submissions, the top 16 teams advance to the second stage, known as the oral rounds.
During the oral rounds, two designated oralists from each team act as legal counsels, delivering oral arguments in English for a total of 42 minutes per side. Katya Devi Anandini explained that she and Zahra each took turns presenting arguments for one side, navigating complex and demanding legal issues.
“For the oral rounds, there were two oralists, Zahra and me, and together we pleaded for a total of 42 minutes for one side,” Anandini said.
Preparation for the oral phase spanned five months and involved intensive training sessions and extensive legal research. While the process was demanding and at times led to burnout, the team noted that overall challenges were manageable thanks to strong coordination and shared commitment.
“The main struggle was dealing with burnout because the preparation lasted nearly five months. Fortunately, the obstacles were minimal,” Anandini said.
Meaningful experience
Beyond sharpening legal reasoning and advocacy skills, the competition also offered opportunities to expand academic and professional networks. Anandini described the experience as highly engaging, highlighting interactions with participants from universities such as Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Universitas Tanjungpura in Pontianak, as well as academics and legal practitioners who served as judges during the event.
Although the UNAIR team had not secured a runner-up position since 2022, this year marked a return to the winners’ circle with two awards. Anandini noted, “We haven’t achieved a runner-up position since 2022. Alhamdulillah, this year we were able to return as one of the winners at the 20th IHLMCC.”
The team hopes their success will encourage other students to take part in international competitions. “Don’t be afraid to join English-language competitions, with consistent practice, it’s absolutely achievable,” they said.
Author: Saffana Raisa Rahmania
Editor : Ragil Kukuh Imanto
