Professionals

The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies organises professional Training Courses on Advocacy and International Criminal Litigation. This years training session will be held from 8 to 12 November 2010.

The course is targeted towards practicing lawyers, counsel or legal professionals who wish to deepen their advocacy and litigation skills in international criminal law. Experienced and skilled practitioners from the international criminal institutions of The Hague are in charge of the training. The course is carried out in smaller groups to guarantee accessibility and an interactive learning environment.

Main features  

• Intensive training course - 30 hours of instruction that will be carried out over 4 days.
• Small, accessible group - to promote interaction and exchange of experience and knowledge between trainers and participants. 
• Interactive lectures - The course is composed of lectures and training exercises. Exercises will be held on several topics such as Witness Testimony, Cross-Examination and the Filing of Motions. See the program at the bottom of this page. 
• Contemporary law presented by skilled practitioners - Topics include jurisdictional issues (Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes), Modes of Liability, Defences, Evidence, Witness Testimony and Victims Representation.

Main features of the program

Monday	-Course overview and introduction of trainers
	-The unique characteristics of the international criminal trial and overview of the international criminal court procedural scheme
	-Prosecution practice, penal policy, preparing and presenting the case for the prosecution
	-Modes of criminal liability, responsibility and related evidentiary burden
	-The theory of the case: preparing and presenting the case for the defence
Tuesday	-Evidence: forms, admissibility and organisation
	-Examination in chief: purpose, applicable rules, tactics and strategy
	-Cross examination: purpose, applicable rules, tactics and strategy
	-Building the record: motion practice, filing applications before the chambers
Wednesday	-Cross examination exercise
	-Material jurisdiction: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression
	-Defences
	-Expert witnesses: purpose, applicable rules and practice
	-Working on motion filing exercise
Thursday	-Review of motion filing exercise
	-Expert witness exercise
	-Visit at the international court and tribunals
Friday	-Opening statements, final trial briefs and oral arguments
	-Victim representation before the International Criminal Court
	-Interlocutory appeals, sentencing and appeals on the merits
	-Opening statement & oral arguments exercise
	-Ethics
	-Getting there: practising before international criminal jurisdictions
	-Diploma Ceremony

The full program is availble in pdf. 

Expertise

The intended audience is professional legal counsels with an interest to further their practical advocacy skills in international criminal law. Places are limited to 20 participants.

The registration fee for the Intensive ´Advocacy – International Criminal Law´, Trial Training Course is € 1600,-  which includes academic and administrative charges, working materials, lunches and drinks during the training, a reception and a dinner. The registration fee does not cover accommodation and the meals not previously mentioned. 

To register, please send an e-mail to grotiuscentre@campusdenhaag.nl indicating your name, profession, and your contact details.