An annual moot-court competition organised by the International Bar Association (IBA) is now open for registrations for the 2024 edition in the Dutch city of The Hague.

Last year, around 600 students from more than 45 countries participated in the event, which is organised in partnership with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Leiden University’s Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies.

The 2024 competition takes place from 31 May to 7 June, and teams must register their participation by 20 November 2023.

Fictitious case

The IBA ICC Moot Court Competition is a large-scale educational programme bringing together students of different backgrounds and cultures to simulate the judicial proceedings of the ICC.

The competition is designed to enhance law students’ knowledge of the Rome Statute and the proceedings of the ICC through a fictitious case, by addressing fundamental issues of substantive and procedural international criminal law.

Over the course of a week, students engage in a comprehensive educational and social programme designed to create learning and networking opportunities.

Two rounds

The competition itself is structured into two rounds – written and oral – in which each team takes on the roles of prosecution counsel, defence counsel and, depending on the case, the roles of victims’ counsel or government counsel alternatively.

The written round takes place remotely with the submission of written memorials by the participating teams, while the oral round – including the finals – is held in The Hague.