The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies organizes annually in May “The International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition” in The Hague, in the Netherlands. During this competition, universities from all over the world are handed a problem with fictive facts, and they will stimulate the case as if the proceedings are held before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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 replica of ICC proceedings. The Competition’s case addresses fundamental issues of substantive and procedural international criminal law.

Teams prepare written and oral pleadings arguing three positions: Defense Counsel, Office of the Prosecutor and Legal Representative for Victims.

USEK Faculty of Law team consists of six participants, three of whom are oralists and three of whom are "of counsel"; the latter’s objective is to help with research and written submissions (Memorials). The "of counsel" is also a backup oralist at the competition.

Serving on the team is a two-semester commitment, beginning in the fall semester.

Team Manager:
Dr. Ghada Karam
ghadakaram@usek.edu.lb

Selection:
Tryouts for the team are held in the beginning of the fall semester, usually around September, and are open to students in good standing in their third or fourth year of law studies.

Candidates should satisfy the following prerequisites:

• Be fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Be used to public speaking
• Have good research skills and sense of legal analysis
• Have a high level of discipline and dedication

Competition Timeline (2018 Edition of the ICC Moot Court Competition):
(Check the competition website for exact dates.)

• Problem released: 20 October 2017
• Deadline for submission of the three memorials (Defense Counsel, Office of the Prosecutor and Legal Representative for Victims) : 26 February 2018
• Oral Rounds: 27 May till 1 June 2018

Academic credit:
Three credits units.

Meetings:
Team members meet with their professor at least twice a week, but will be expected to meet additional times, including weekends, on an as-needed basis. Meetings will involve a combination of instruction, discussion, and practice.

Expenses:
USEK Faculty of Law pays reasonable travel expenses for participants to attend the Oral Rounds in The Hague – The Netherlands.

ICC Moot Court Competition – 2015 Edition: The Hague, The Netherlands
Team Members: George El Khoury, Joan Samaha, Vanessa Bejjani, Coralie Ziadeh, Samantha Doumit

ICC Moot Court Competition – 2016 Edition: The Hague, The Netherlands
Coach: Professor Théo Boutruche
Team Members: Maroun Mallah, Maria Zeidan, Rindala Zgheib, Rachid Chakhtoura, Mary Fahim