MOCK TRIAL
The ADC-ICT organises a Mock Trial each year. The Mock Trial is a one-week event held in The Hague. The week includes four hands-on evening sessions for young professionals in the field of international criminal law and a one-day Mock Trial exercise in an international courtroom in front of international Judges.
The evening sessions focus on practical skills and expertise and are given by experienced Counsel to prepare participants for a career in international criminal law. Topics include "legal drafting", "oral trial advocacy", "opening and closing statements" and "ethics in international criminal law". Participants will be requested to make written filings in teams as well as perform in the courtroom on the day of the Mock Trial in front of judges.
Photos from previous Mock Trial events are available in the gallery.
Mock Trial 2026
The 2026 advocacy training and mock trial will take place between Monday 24 August and Friday 28 August. Registration is available below.
Provisional Schedule:
Monday 24 August - Introduction and Legal Drafting - 15.00 - 19.00
Tuesday 25 August - Oral Advocacy for Defence - 16.00 - 19.00
Wednesday 26 August - Oral Advocacy for Prosecution - 16.00 - 19.00
Thursday 27 August - Opening and Closing Statements and Legal Ethics - 16.00 - 19.00
Friday 28 August - Mock Trial in Kosovo Specialist Chambers Courtroom - 09.00 - 17.00 - International Judges - Judge Joanna Korner KC, Judge Christopher Gosnell and Judge Beti Hohler
Testimonials
I thought the mock trial was a great event. It felt as real as possible and the Judges were of really high quality in terms of their interjections throughout the day, I thought it was fantastic!
I thoroughly enjoyed the mock trial. I thought it was a great learning experience, and it was fantastic to have the opportunity to practice in a "real life" type situation. The feedback was very useful.
I thought the Judges were great. They were professional and asked probing questions that forced you to stretch your knowledge. It felt like real trial.
