Moot Court Competition: International Criminal Court
A.Y. 2025/2026
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
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
· 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
Prerequisites for admission
General provisions on prerequisites apply to this course (i.e. students must have passed the exams of Constitutional Law and Institutions of Private Law). Prior knowledge of international law and criminal law is required. Having passed other exams (such as Criminal Procedure, International Human Rights Law, European Criminal Law and Human Rights, etc.) is an asset. An excellent knowledge of English is required. Active and regular attendance is necessary.
Teaching methods
Students will be guided in the analysis and study of the legal issues underlying the case, as well as in the preparation and drafting of the written memoranda. In the second phase of the competition, the focus will shift to preparing the oral pleadings, both in terms of content and oral advocacy techniques, including how to address possible questions from the judges.The aim of the participation in this Moot Court competition is to provide students with advanced knowledge of International criminal law principles and rules.
Students will be part of a team that 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.
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, a third party like Legal Representative for 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 fictional Court. In the following phase, students will have to orally plead their arguments taking different roles and arguing against other Universities'.
Students will be part of a team that 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.
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, a third party like Legal Representative for 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 fictional Court. In the following phase, students will have to orally plead their arguments taking different roles and arguing against other Universities'.
Teaching Resources
All study and working materials will be uploaded for students on the Ariel platform. There is no set handbook to prepare for the exam.
Students will participate in a simulated proceeding before the International Criminal Court, assuming the roles of prosecution (Office of the Prosecutor), defense of the accused (Defense Counsel) and, possibly, a third party like the Legal Representative for Victims or State. The competition begins in October, with the publication of the case. Then each team is required to send written memoranda for each role. The final rounds normally take place during the last week of May o the first week of June, when the teams are called to take turns taking on different roles during a simulated trial inside an International Criminal Court courtroom, in front of a panel composed of judges of the Court, professors and experts in international criminal law.
Students will participate in a simulated proceeding before the International Criminal Court, assuming the roles of prosecution (Office of the Prosecutor), defense of the accused (Defense Counsel) and, possibly, a third party like the Legal Representative for Victims or State. The competition begins in October, with the publication of the case. Then each team is required to send written memoranda for each role. The final rounds normally take place during the last week of May o the first week of June, when the teams are called to take turns taking on different roles during a simulated trial inside an International Criminal Court courtroom, in front of a panel composed of judges of the Court, professors and experts in international criminal law.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment will be based on participation in activities, both individually and in team, and completion of assigned tasks.
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon appointment ([email protected])