International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition

The IBA International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (“ICC”) is presented by The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies. This competition takes place annually in The Hague, the Netherlands. 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. 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 an accurate simulation of ICC proceedings. The competition’s case addresses fundamental issues of substantive and procedural international criminal law.

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). Most universities must qualify at national or regional rounds to represent their countries at the international competition, which normally takes place in The Hague in June. Please click here for more information.

What you need to know

  • Osgoode competes in the Regional Rounds for the Americas and Caribbean, at Pace Law School in New York City, for the opportunity to represent Canada at the International Rounds in The Hague.
  • The final round ordinally takes place in an actual ICC courtroom with ICC judges and staff adjudicating
  • NOTE: the International Rounds in the Hague often overlap with the date for one of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) licensing examinations. Students entering their third year will need to consider whether it’s feasible or desirable to write the impacted licensing examination at a later fall or winter sitting, noting that some articling employers may require students to complete the June licensing examination as part of their employment terms. Students who must write in June must forego the International Rounds. If this could potentially impact you, please let the Mooting Director know at the time of offer.

Teams

  • The team is comprised of three oralists, and up to two researchers
  • Interested students should apply through an upper year mooting tryout dedicated to this competition

Credits/Courses

  • Team members receive three graded credits for their participation, which will be applied in the Winter term
  • No additional credits are awarded if the team advances to the international rounds
  • Team members are NOT required to enroll in the Appellate Advocacy Workshop