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 the UN-IRMCT courtroom in front of international Judges and Counsel.
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.
It is anticipated that the Mock Trial will be video recorded and provided to participants afterwards.
Photos from previous Mock Trial events are available in the gallery.
Mock Trial 2025
The 2024 advocacy training and mock trial will take place between Monday 18 August and Friday 22 August. Registration is available below.
Provisional Schedule:
Monday 18 August - Introduction and Legal Drafting - 15.00 - 19.00
Tuesday 19 August - Oral Advocacy for Defence - 16.00 - 19.00
Wednesday 20 August - Oral Advocacy for Prosecution - 16.00 - 19.00
Thursday 21 August - Opening and Closing Statements and Legal Ethics - 16.00 - 19.00
Friday 22 August - Mock Trial in Courtroom - 09.00 - 17.00 - International Judges
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.
