INFORMATION PACKAGE
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
THE HAGUE
MOOT COURT COMPETITION
MAY 2015
Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University
Organization Committee
Prof. Carsten Stahn
Prof. Michael P. Scharf
Ms. Lieneke Louman LL.M.
Board of Advisors includes:
Morris Anyah, Prof. Cherif M. Bassiouni, Prof. Matthew E.
Brotmann, Mark Ellis, Donald M. Ferencz, Prof. Paola Gaeta,
Justice Richard J. Goldstone, Prof. Larissa van den Herik,
Karim A.A. Khan QC, Justice Philippe Kirsch, Prof. Tim
McCormack, Prof. Hope Elizabeth May, Simon Minks, William
Pace, Prof. William A. Schabas, Prof. Michael P. Scharf and
Ambassador Christian Wenaweser
The Hague, September 2014
Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies
P.O. Box 13228
2501 EE The Hague
The Netherlands
T: +31.(0)70 800 9575
F: +31.(0)71 527 8223
E: [email protected]
www.iccmoot.com
@ICCmoot
/groups/1501660426738278/
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Competition ................................................................................................. 4
Purpose ................................................................................................................. 6
Value ...................................................................................................................... 7
Structure ................................................................................................................ 8
Partners ................................................................................................................. 9
Contact .................................................................................................................. 10
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THE COMPETITION
The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies proudly presents the International Criminal
Court Moot Court Competition, set to take place in May 2015 in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The ICC Moot Court Competition welcomes universities from all over the world for a large scale moot
court simulating the proceedings of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Competition consists of
an extensive six-day educational and social program, which brings together students of diverse
backgrounds and cultures to The Hague to challenge their skills as future international lawyers. The final
round is expected to take place in an actual ICC courtroom with ICC judges adjudicating.
The establishment of the world’s first International Criminal Court provided a fantastic opportunity to
further support the rule of international law and the fight against impunity by garnering a youth-led
interest. The Competition involves collaboration with judges from international courts and
tribunals, professors of international (criminal) law, and other legal professionals. This network makes the
ICC Moot Court Competition a realistic simulation of ICC proceedings. The Competition’s case addresses
fundamental issues of substantive and procedural international criminal law.
We expect to welcome 60 teams (300 students) from universities from all over the world to participate
in this edition of the ICC Moot Court Competition).
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Finals of the Competition are adjudicated by 5
ICC Judges/staff ©ICC-CPI
PURPOSE
The purpose of the ICC Moot Court Competition is threefold:
1.
To allow the top law students from all over the world to improve their knowledge of
international criminal law in practice and in particular of the ICC and its proceedings.
2.
To provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with world-famous
institutions in The Hague such as the ICC, the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), the International
Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Peace Palace Library.
3.
To enhance knowledge about the Rome Statute, especially within countries that have yet
to ratify it, by providing the top legal minds of the future from both Member and nonMember States alike, an opportunity to learn more about the ICC. Their knowledge and
enthusiasm for international criminal law will be further stimulated by the interaction they
will have with legal experts and professionals they will meet during the Main Rounds in
The Hague.
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VALUE
The organization is dedicated to providing an innovative and unparalleled educational
experience for all those involved in the Competition, with learning opportunities both within
and outside the fictional Courtroom.
Site Visits
On top of the rigorous competition schedule, students get to experience
first-hand the most important institutions in international law and governance
operating in The Hague.
Meeting Professionals and Experts in the Field
Students are able to meet distinguished international jurists and practitioners who judge all
rounds and give extremely helpful guidance and feedback.
A Meaningful International Experience
The Competition also serves as a perfect forum for global interaction. Law
students from all sides of the globe are united by a common interest in
international criminal law allowing them to learn from each other, while forging strong
international bonds which facilitate their future career successes and create new friendships.
This aspect makes the ICC Moot Court Competition a truly unforgettable experience.
University Credit
The high learning value and workload make this program eligible for course credit at the
participating universities.
© ICC-CPI
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STRUCTURE
Main Round
Each participating team is given the chance to argue all sides of the case by
assuming each of the roles of the court: Prosecutor, Defense Counsel and Government
Counsel, or the Legal Representative for the Victims. The last two roles rotate every other year.
The overall score of the teams of the Main Round will be a combination of the written
memorial and oral session scores. All memorials will be evaluated by two different evaluators,
prior to the start of the Main Round. The Oral sessions will be attended by three (with a
minimum of two) Panel Members.
Semi Final
The Semi-Final Round will accommodate nine teams (three sessions, three teams each)
advancing from the main round. Based on their scores for their oral presentations in the SemiFinals, the winner of every session will proceed to the finals
Finals
The Finals are expected to take place in an ICC courtroom and will be adjudicated by ICC
judges/staff, comprising the most unique aspect of the Competition. Security, court room
staff and photographers are also present, and a live stream is broadcasted on the ICC website.
Preliminary (National/Regional) Rounds
A maximum of two teams per country are allowed to enter the international rounds. (An
exception is made if six or more teams from the same country register. In this case, three
universities may represent their country). If there are more than two registrations per country,
teams must submit and address a ‘preliminary question’ in writing or participate in a
specially organized national round. Please read the Rules of Procedure 2015 for the exact
details.
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PARTNERS
The International Criminal Court (ICC)
The organization and the ICC work closely together to deliver a very
informative and realistic simulation for all participants. For more
information, visit www.icc-cpi.int
Leiden University
The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies - Leiden University is the
host of the Competition. The Oral Rounds will take place in the
Centre 4 Innovation, Leiden University Campus The Hague.
For more information visit:
www.grotiuscentre.org
www.leiden.edu, www.centre4innovation.org,
Pace University
Pace University (United States of America) organizes the preliminary
rounds for the Americas. Teams from universities through out North
America, the Caribbean and South America are obliged to take part in the
Pace preliminary rounds. The beginnings of the ICC Moot Court
Competition were founded at Pace University by Professor Matthew E.
Brotmann. For more information visit: www.pace.edu
China University of Political Science and Law
China University of Political Science and Law is the organizer of the
Chinese Regional Rounds. For more information visit: www.lawschoolchina.com
Moscow State Law Academy
Moscow State Law Academy is the organizer of the Russian Regional
Rounds. For more information visit: www..msu.ru/
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CONTACT
Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies - Leiden University
Organization Committee
Prof. Carsten Stahn, Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University,
Chair ICC Moot Court Organizational Committee
Prof. Michael P. Scharf, Case Western Reserve University, Chair Board of Advisors
Ms. Lieneke Louman LL.M., Project Manager, Grotius Centre for International Legal
Studies, Leiden University, Chair ICC Moot Court Organizational Committee
Board of Advisors includes
Morris Anyah, Prof. Cherif M. Bassiouni, Prof. Matthew E. Brotmann, Mark Ellis,
Donald M. Ferencz, Prof. Paola Gaeta, Justice Richard J. Goldstone, Prof. Larissa van
den Herik, Karim A.A. Khan QC, Justice Philippe Kirsch, Prof. Tim McCormack,
Prof. Hope Elizabeth May, Simon Minks, William Pace, Prof. William A. Schabas,
Prof. Michael P. Scharf and Ambassador Christian Wenaweser
Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies
P.O. Box 13228
2501 EE The Hague
The Netherlands
T: +31.(0)70 800 9575
F: +31.(0)71 527 8223
E: [email protected]
www.iccmoot.com
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