The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies proudly presents the IBA International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition, taking place annually in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The IBA 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.
The Competition was founded in 2004 at Pace Law School (White Plains, NY). Based upon the success of what was originally created as an in-class exercise by Prof. Matthew Brotmann and Prof. Gayl Westerman, the moot was expanded to an invited list of schools in 2005. The following year the ICC Moot was opened up to law schools from around the world. Pace Law School continues to host the Regional Round of the Americas.
In 2021, the Grotius Centre consolidated their partnership with the IBA by signing a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding which positions the IBA as the primary supporting partner of the event.
The Organizing Committee of the ICC Moot Court Competition consists of:
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 Advisors
Dr. Mark Ellis, International Bar Association Executive Director
Ms. Kate Orlovsky, Director, The Hague Office, ICC & ICL Programme, International Bar Association
Ms. Ioana Moraru LL.M., Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University, Project Manager
The operations of the Competition are managed by the Organizing Office which is appointed by the Chair of the Organizing Committee. The Organizing Office 2024 is composed of:
Ms. Ioana Moraru LL.M., Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University, Project Manager