Moot Court Competition: International Criminal Court
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aim of the participation in this Moot Court competition is to provide students with advanced knowledge of International criminal law principles and rules.
The students will form a team which will participate, on behalf of the University of Milan, in an international, high level competition (Moot Court) simulating the judicial proceedings before the International Criminal Court.
The students will learn through the analysis of a fictional case, which they will have to analyse in order to take the roles of the Prosecutor, the Defence Counsel and possibly of the Victims or State. During the course of the Moot, students will have to draft and file at least two written memoranda (or pleadings) in front of a ficticial Court, which will evaluate them in order to participate in the oral phase of the proceedings. Here the students will have to orally plead their arguments taking, alternatively, the different roles of Prosecution and Defence, and arguing against other Universities' teams taking the opposite role.
The course aims at providing students with:
- advanced knowledge and practical understanding of the mechanisms and features of international tribunals, and in particular of the International Criminal Court;
- ability to interpret and apply legal provisions and case-law regarding international criminal justice to a concrete case;
- strengthening personal capacity to work in a group and deal with a high level international competition;
- strengthening the independence, organisational and critical analysis skills of the students;
- improve the students' writing skills, their oral skills and their pleading skills in public;
- improving the students' language skills, as the entire activities will be held in English.
The students will form a team which will participate, on behalf of the University of Milan, in an international, high level competition (Moot Court) simulating the judicial proceedings before the International Criminal Court.
The students will learn through the analysis of a fictional case, which they will have to analyse in order to take the roles of the Prosecutor, the Defence Counsel and possibly of the Victims or State. During the course of the Moot, students will have to draft and file at least two written memoranda (or pleadings) in front of a ficticial Court, which will evaluate them in order to participate in the oral phase of the proceedings. Here the students will have to orally plead their arguments taking, alternatively, the different roles of Prosecution and Defence, and arguing against other Universities' teams taking the opposite role.
The course aims at providing students with:
- advanced knowledge and practical understanding of the mechanisms and features of international tribunals, and in particular of the International Criminal Court;
- ability to interpret and apply legal provisions and case-law regarding international criminal justice to a concrete case;
- strengthening personal capacity to work in a group and deal with a high level international competition;
- strengthening the independence, organisational and critical analysis skills of the students;
- improve the students' writing skills, their oral skills and their pleading skills in public;
- improving the students' language skills, as the entire activities will be held in English.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the Moot Court, students will have:
- participated in a high level international competition, getting in touch and exchanging with students coming from all over the world;
- learned the mechanisms and features of international criminal tribunals, and in particular of the International Criminal Court;
- learned to interpret and apply legal provisions and case-law regarding international criminal justice to a concrete case;
- strengthened their personal capacity to work in a group and deal with a high level international competition;
- strengthened their organisational skills, independence and critical analysis skills;
- improved their writing skills, oral skills and their pleading skills in public;
- improved the students' language skills, as the entire activities will be held in English
- participated in a high level international competition, getting in touch and exchanging with students coming from all over the world;
- learned the mechanisms and features of international criminal tribunals, and in particular of the International Criminal Court;
- learned to interpret and apply legal provisions and case-law regarding international criminal justice to a concrete case;
- strengthened their personal capacity to work in a group and deal with a high level international competition;
- strengthened their organisational skills, independence and critical analysis skills;
- improved their writing skills, oral skills and their pleading skills in public;
- improved the students' language skills, as the entire activities will be held in English
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The 2021 edition of the MOOT, including the competition between the various student teams, will take place entirely online, as decided by the organisation of the Moot itself, the Nuremberg Principles Academy.
The lessons / meetings @UNIMI will take place on Microsoft Teams in synchronous mode, at the established times. Information on how to access Microsoft Teams lessons and other instructional instructions will be provided directly to participants selected to participate in the Moot by the teacher.
If the health situation allows it, in compliance with the regulations in force, the meetings can also be held in the classroom; in this case, the students will be promptly informed directly by the teacher.
The lessons / meetings @UNIMI will take place on Microsoft Teams in synchronous mode, at the established times. Information on how to access Microsoft Teams lessons and other instructional instructions will be provided directly to participants selected to participate in the Moot by the teacher.
If the health situation allows it, in compliance with the regulations in force, the meetings can also be held in the classroom; in this case, the students will be promptly informed directly by the teacher.
Course syllabus
Starting from the academic year 2018-2019 the Cesare Beccaria Department offers a team of students the opportunity to participate in a Moot on international criminal justice. The choice will fall, in alternate years between:
1) "International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition" organized by the Grotius Center for International Legal Studies of the Leiden Law School and the International Bar Association, with the institutional support of the International Criminal Court, and which takes place in The Hague: http: // iccmoot .com /
2) "Nuremberg Moot Court" organized by the International Nuremberg Principles Academy and which takes place in Nuremberg, Germany: https://www.nuremberg-moot.de/home/
During the competition, teams of students from universities around the world challenge each other by simulating the proceedings before the International Criminal Court and assuming the roles of prosecution (Office of the Prosecutor), defense counsel (Defense Counsel) and legal representation of victims (Legal Representative for Victims).
The competition program begins in one case in October (ICC Moot), and in the other in January (Nuremberg Moot), with the online publication of a legal case and provides for the sending, by the end of February or March, of two or three memoranda from each team. The final rounds take place starting from the last week of May, when the teams are called to take turns taking on the roles of prosecution, defense and legal representation of the victims during a simulated trial inside an International Criminal courtroom. Court, in front of a panel composed of judges of the Court, professors and experts in international criminal law.
During the competition, which is normally held in The Hague or Nuremberg (but will be fully online in 2021) participating students have the opportunity to participate in seminars and events. The competition is a unique opportunity to develop and practice their skills. in an international context. Participation in the competition may constitute a preferential title in the evaluation of applications for internships at international organizations as well as for periods of study abroad. The selections to become part of the University of Milan team take place every year in the period between December and March (depending on the Moot) For information - Prof.ssa Chantal Meloni ([email protected]).
1) "International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition" organized by the Grotius Center for International Legal Studies of the Leiden Law School and the International Bar Association, with the institutional support of the International Criminal Court, and which takes place in The Hague: http: // iccmoot .com /
2) "Nuremberg Moot Court" organized by the International Nuremberg Principles Academy and which takes place in Nuremberg, Germany: https://www.nuremberg-moot.de/home/
During the competition, teams of students from universities around the world challenge each other by simulating the proceedings before the International Criminal Court and assuming the roles of prosecution (Office of the Prosecutor), defense counsel (Defense Counsel) and legal representation of victims (Legal Representative for Victims).
The competition program begins in one case in October (ICC Moot), and in the other in January (Nuremberg Moot), with the online publication of a legal case and provides for the sending, by the end of February or March, of two or three memoranda from each team. The final rounds take place starting from the last week of May, when the teams are called to take turns taking on the roles of prosecution, defense and legal representation of the victims during a simulated trial inside an International Criminal courtroom. Court, in front of a panel composed of judges of the Court, professors and experts in international criminal law.
During the competition, which is normally held in The Hague or Nuremberg (but will be fully online in 2021) participating students have the opportunity to participate in seminars and events. The competition is a unique opportunity to develop and practice their skills. in an international context. Participation in the competition may constitute a preferential title in the evaluation of applications for internships at international organizations as well as for periods of study abroad. The selections to become part of the University of Milan team take place every year in the period between December and March (depending on the Moot) For information - Prof.ssa Chantal Meloni ([email protected]).
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of criminal law, international law and preferably international criminal law. Excellent knowledge of English. Practical and organizational ability. Willingness to work hard and with tight deadlines. In any case, to participate in the Moot it is necessary to pass the selections that will be managed every year by the teacher specifying in detail the required prerequisites.
Teaching methods
Like any Moot, these are not lectures but active participation by students in the competition, through the preparation of legal memoranda and oral rounds. All activities take place in English.
Teaching Resources
The course syllabus and reference material are unchanged. The materials will be provided by the teacher to the selected students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The procedures for verifying learning and the assessment criteria will not be subject to changes and are strictly dependant on the Moot format itself.
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon appointment ([email protected])