International Moot Court

The Hague plays host to the International Moot Court competition for high schools. During the winter of 2014, teams from up to 15 countries will present their oral arguments at The Hague.

The competition was developed by the Justice Resource Center (JRC) Inc., in New York, in partnership with the Department of Education of the Municipality of The Hague, and in conjunction with the International Bar Association (IBA-England).

MENTOR Moot Court

This Moot Court is an outgrowth of the highly-acclaimed MENTOR law firm/school partnership programme in the United States. MENTOR, created in the 1980s by lawyers, pairs major law firms with New York City public high school students. The lawyers - partners and associates - help the students prepare an appellate argument. Countless hours are spent analysing and dissecting judicial opinions, strategising and honing oral advocacy skills. The MENTOR Moot Court is held in such high esteem that judges from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals preside over the final round.

International Moot Court Competition

An International Moot Court was the next step. The competition affords high school students from all over the world an exceptional opportunity to argue at The Hague, to develop in-depth knowledge of the International Criminal Court, to gain a heightened respect for international criminal law and to enjoy the opportunity to exchange ideas with students from other countries.

Programme Overview

During the winter of 2014, teams from up to 15 countries will present their oral arguments at The Hague. Student selection criteria will be determined by each country. Although all-star teams are encouraged, the sites will select students based upon specific criteria. Law firms in each country/city will be solicited to participate as coaches, judges and sponsors. Students will participate in multiple-elimination rounds at a Hague law school with two international teams emerging as the finalists.The final round will take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague with prominent international judges presiding. The case for the International Moot Court 2014 will be released in 2013.

Sponsorship

The Justice Resource Center, Inc., a charitable organisation, will assist with the fundraising efforts of each country.

More information

Debra Lesser, Executive Director
Justice Resource Center
122 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10023
Telephone: +1 917 209 46 83
Email: DLesser@school.nyc.gov

In the Netherlands:
Mireille de Jonge
Department of Education
Municipality of The Hague
Telephone: +31 70 353 54 15
Email: mireille.dejonge@denhaag.nl

Expat TV

Item by Expat TV about the International Moot Court for high school students.

Interesting links

• Justice Resource Center (JRC)
• Department of Education of the Municipality of The Hague
• Special International Moot Court website