On behalf of the ICC Moot Court Organizing Committee and the International Bar Association, it is with our deepest regret that we must inform you about the cancellation of the 2020 ICC Moot Court Competition Oral Rounds. This may not come as a surprise or shock to you, given the situation the world finds itself in. As per Dutch Government policy regarding large events and gatherings, it is not only irresponsible, but impossible to host the Oral Rounds this year in The Hague.
We understand the enormous amount of time, energy and passion the teams have already invested in the preparation for the Competition and we are extremely grateful. We would also like to express our appreciation for the judges’ willingness to participate in the Competition. Without their support, collaboration and time the Competition would not be possible every year.
We have, over the past weeks, relentlessly looked for alternatives and considered other options such as postponing the Competition or an online moot. No option seemed as fair and rewarding as the original format of the Oral Rounds. In addition, the uncertainty of the weeks and months to come prevents us from rescheduling or planning an alternative scenario.
Not all is lost though! The teams’ hard work will be rewarded and we will be awarding memorial prizes (even more than ever)! Stay tuned for further information in the upcoming months.
As always, we still have some surprises in store for you: Our Board Chair, Dean Michael Scharf has recorded a video interview with Ben Ferencz, the last surviving Prosecutor of the Nuremberg Tribunal, who has some special words for those that participated in the 2020 ICC Moot Court Competition. You can watch his inspiring message here.
The ICC Moot Court Competition’s partner, the International Bar Association extends its deepest appreciation to all ICC Moot participants for the efforts that have gone into the memorials and preparation of Oral Rounds, as well as to all the judges who will judge memorials and who had made commitments to participate in The Hague in June. The IBA is committed to supporting the ICC Moot and looks forward to recognizing the talent and hard work of participants during the online awards ceremony, as well as to supporting future rounds of the ICC Moot Court.
While the decision to cancel the oral rounds may be disappointing, we firmly believe it is the best way to move forward as well as show our solidarity with international health organizations, doctors, and civil servants around the world fighting to contain the virus. We all have a part to play and we hope you will show your commitment to the Competition by also playing your part.
We would like to express once more our gratitude to all the teams, judges, partners and sponsors for the support and understanding shown.
On behalf of the ICC Moot Court Organizing Committee
Prof. Carsten Stahn, Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University, Chair of the ICC Moot Court Organizing Committee
Prof. Michael P. Scharf, Case Western Reserve University, Chair of the ICC Moot Court Board of Advisers
Ms. Ioana Moraru LL.M, Project Manager of the ICC Moot Court
&
On behalf of the International Bar Association
Mr Horacio Bernardes Neto, President
Dr Mark Ellis, Executive Director