The 2025 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition (Moot Court or 'Competition') has begun in The Hague with welcoming and opening remarks by International Bar Association (IBA) President-Elect Claudio Visco and International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Kimberly Prost. It is the 12th Competition hosted by the IBA in conjunction with the ICC. Organised by the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University , the Competition is taking place from 11-18 June.
During Judge Prost's opening remarks on 11 June, she stressed the importance of the IBA ICC Moot Court Competition in building the expertise of future international lawyers in seemingly critical times for the ICC and the Rome Statute system.
ICC Judge Kimberly Prost said: 'It's amazing to see the vision behind this event, such an important initiative in the field of international criminal law, bringing together different jurisprudences and delegations. This Moot Court offers a valuable opportunity to learn, practice, and grow, helping you become highly qualified practitioners in international criminal law. It also serves as a platform to exchange ideas focused on the work of international criminal law and the ICC. This is truly imperative, you are the generation that must carry this mission forward. And truly, what better mechanism for complementarity than the collaboration taking place in this very room?'
As in previous years, the IBA provided scholarships to facilitate the participation of teams from various legal institutions around the world. This year, scholarships were awarded to teams from the Kathmandu School of Law in Nepal; Université La Sagesse in Lebanon; NALSAR University of Law in India; the University of Chile; and the University of Nairobi in Kenya.
During the opening ceremony Mr Visco welcomed more than 400 international students from 45 countries to the Competition, which simulates ICC proceedings and involves competitors presenting legal arguments in the positions of prosecution, defence and victims' counsel. The format aims to draw attention to the crucial work the ICC does to protect the rule of law, provide justice for victims and contribute to ending impunity of perpetrators of egregious crimes: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Participating in the Competition are 88 teams with 22 teams debuting.
Mr Visco has said that: 'The IBA ICC Moot Court Competition brings together students aiming at becoming judges or lawyers of different backgrounds and cultures from across the world to simulate the judicial proceedings of the ICC. It is an incredible opportunity for students of law to develop their skills in legal practice at the Court itself, as well as network with their peers and exchange experiences with ethnicities they may not have encountered if not for the Competition. It is wonderful to see the next generation of international lawyers being brought together in this way by the IBA and ICC in respect of protecting the rule of law.'
Claudio Visco's full address can be read here .
Dr Carsten Stahn, Professor of International Criminal Law and Global Justice at Leiden University and Chair of the IBA ICC Moot Court Competition Organising Committee stated: 'In times of attacks on the foundations of international law, the impartiality of international criminal justice, and repeated threats and sanctions against the ICC, it is more necessary than ever to educate future generations of lawyers and create consciousness about the role and principles of international law. With its global reach, and its diversity, involving teams from all over the world, including countries that are not parties to the Rome Stature, the IBA ICC Moot is an important cornerstone to promote dialogue and enhance commitment to international justice, fairness, and equality before the law in an interconnected world.'
The ceremony also included remarks from Ms Mariëlle Vavier, Deputy Mayor of The Hague and Professor Michael P Scharf, Associate Dean for Global Legal Studies of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and Chair of the IBA ICC Moot Court Competition Board of Advisors.
Each year, the Competition focuses on a fictitious case that illustrates relevant issues of international law. In the 2025 case, The Prosecutor v Arrix Vragar Situation in The Republic of Northeros , participating students will consider the possibility for the Court to adjudicate the crime of 'gender apartheid' - the systematic discrimination of individuals based on gender - as a crime against humanity and questions related to the application of the ICC's jurisdiction ratione personae, which means the judgement over individuals rather than states or businesses by the court.
Performances will be assessed by more than 200 legal professionals, including many IBA members, who will serve as judges and evaluators during the competition. The final round of the competition will be held on 18 June in a courtroom at the ICC, presided over by ICC Judge Bertram Schmitt.
In addition to the networking and social events, Competition participants can also take advantage of academic side activities. Part of this year's academic roster will be Just Peace Festival in The Hague - an annual event that brings international institutions closer to society and its needs by inviting citizens, thinkers, doers and artists and integrating exhibitions, films, music and dance.
