Prospectus

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Practicing International Law - Practicum

Course
2014-2015

Gebonden keuze uit

a) International Criminal Court Trial Competition
b) Kalshoven International Humanitarian Law competition
c) Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
d) Telders Moot Court Competition
e) Practicing International Law

Admission requirements

Admission to the Masters programme.

Description

In the course “Practicing International Law” students are asked to participate in the proceedings of a case before an international court or tribunal. Students are given specific roles in the cases, as counsel of one of the Parties involved. Each student cooperates with the other members of his/her team to draft a written memorial and to prepare an oral pleading as counsel acting on behalf of one Party.

Course objectives

Objectives of the course
The course aims to improve the writing and oral skills of students by training them to present a fictitious case before an international court or tribunal. Furthermore, the course aims to deepen students’ knowledge of procedural and substantive international law obtained in their coursework over the year by having them conduct independent research on specific issues related to the case. In addition, the course aims to stimulate students’ social skills by having them work in small groups.

Achievement levels
Knowledge:
After a successful completion of this course, the student is able to distinguish primary and secondary issues in the case law of international courts and tribunals and is able to independently analyse a case of medium complexity. In addition, the student has acquired in-depth knowledge of procedural and substantive international law pertaining to the facts of the case and is able to apply this knowledge to similar cases and situations.

Academic skills and attitude:
After a successful completion of this course, the student

  • will be able to provide legal advice within a relatively short period of time;

  • will be able to defend a particular position, both in writing and orally;

  • will be able to work together with other students in a team.

Timetable

The timetable of this course can be found in uSis.

Mode of instruction

Lectures
None.

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) sessions: 5

  • Names of lecturers: to be announced

  • Required preparation by students: Students must cooperate as a team to prepare a written pleading (“memorial”) as well as an oral presentation (“pleading”).

Other methods of instruction
None.

Assessment method

Examination form(s)

  • Written pleading (50%)

  • Presentation (50%)

Oral Presentation:

  • Each student has to cooperate with her or his team to present their oral arguments during the pleading rounds, as well as reply to questions pertaining to the facts and legal questions of the case as well as underlying rules and principles of general public international law.

  • The dates and formalities concerning the pleadings will be announced on Blackboard and explained during the first introductory lecture.

Written Pleading:

  • Each student has to cooperate with her or his team to submit a memorial by the deadline as announced on Blackboard and in the introductory lecture.

  • The formalities in respect of the submission of the memorials will be announced on Blackboard and explained during the first introductory lecture.

Submission procedures
To be announced.

Areas to be tested within the exam
All required reading (literature) for the course, the course information and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course will be pubished on Blackboard.

Blackboard

More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.

Reading list

Obligatory course materials

Literature:
None.

Course information guide:
Outline as posted on Blackboard

Reader:
None.

Recommended course materials
To be announced on Blackboard.

Registration

Through uSis

Contact information

Institution/division

  • Institute: Public Law

  • Division: Public International Law

  • Room number secretariat: KOG, Office B1.21

  • Opening hours: 9.00-17.00 hrs

  • Telephone number secretariat: 071-527 7578

  • E-mail: e.h.uiterweerd@law.leidenuniv.nl

Contractonderwijs

Belangstellenden die deze cursus in het kader van contractonderwijs willen volgen (met tentamen), kunnen meer informatie vinden over kosten, inschrijving, voorwaarden, etc. op de website van Juridisch PAO.