The International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (the Competition), consisting of the Preliminary Round, Quarter-final Round, and Semi-final Round, is organized by the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies – Leiden University, in partnership with the International Bar Association (IBA) (www.iccmoot.com).

Aim

The Competition aims to encourage university students to improve their knowledge of international criminal law in practice and in particular of the ICC, its mandate and its jurisprudence, by simulating ICC proceedings through arguing a hypothetical case. The Competition seeks to enhance knowledge about the Rome Statute, especially within countries that have yet to ratify it. In addition, the Competition provides participants with the opportunity to become familiar with The Hague based international institutions.

Member of the Judging panel

Bicak Law Firm is proud and honored to announce that the founder partner, Prof. Dr. Vahit Bıçak, has been invited duly qualified lawyer, academic in a field of law and legal advisor to act as a member of the Judging panels at the largest moot competition focused on international criminal law: The 2021 International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition. We have accepted invitation with pleasure. Bıçak Law Firm will have a representative of our firm in one of the most important events for academic and legal field.

As a Judge, we will be serving as a member of a panel during the Oral Round of the Competition.  Most panels have three judges. During the 2-hour session, we will assess the validity of the participants’ arguments, the persuasiveness of their presentation, their poise and advocacy skills, and the thoroughness of their preparation.

Six-day educational and social program

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.

Fantastic opportunity

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.

Founded in 2004

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

International Criminal Court documents:

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Rules of Procedure and Evidence
Elements of Crimes
Regulations of the Court
Code of Professional Conduct for Counsel