Moot Court Competition: International Criminal Court
A.Y. 2022/2023
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
Course syllabus
Starting from the academic year 2018-2019 the Faculty sponsors the participation of a team of students in the International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (http://iccmoot.com/), the prestigious international competition in International Criminal Law, 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 in The Hague. 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 of the accused ( Defense Counsel) and Legal Representative for Victims. The competition begins in October, with the online publication of a legal case and provides for the sending of the three memoranda by each team by the end of February. The final rounds normally take place during 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 final selections in The Hague, a program of workshops, seminars and events is organized, aimed at connecting students from different legal and socio-cultural backgrounds. The competition represents a unique opportunity to develop and exercise their legal 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 team of the University of Milan take place every year, before the summer break. If interested, please contact Prof. Chantal Meloni ([email protected]) or Dr. Maria Crippa ([email protected])
Prerequisites for admission
Excellent knowledge of English, excellent/very good ability to write and orally argue in English. Have taken the International Criminal Law exam (or are studying the subject). Flexibility, curiosity, team spirit, self-organization ability.
Teaching methods
In addition to the 20 hours of teaching with the teacher and tutors, students must be prepared for intense group work, even self-managed. The teacher will provide the tools to proceed with the analysis of the case, the preparation of written memoranda, the preparation of the simulation of the oral process. This is a practical activity, where the students do most of the work: maximum flexibility, ability to work in a team and spirit of initiative are required.
Teaching Resources
The necessary material will be provided by the teacher. The competition website can be consulted for more information: https://iccmoot.com/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The competition itself represents the verification of learning, there is no final exam, nor a vote at the end of the participation. The better the preparation, the better the team results!
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon appointment ([email protected])