Admission requirements
This course is intended for law students and requires a good working knowledge of public international law. Dutch (law) students can only participate if there are spots left.
Description
The course Moot Court Public International Law offers students skills training in research, analysis, legal writing and advocacy through the participation in an international law litigation simulation.
Since 1992 Leiden University has an extensive and successful Moot Court programme. All law students in Leiden have to complete a compulsory Moot Court course in civil law, criminal law, administrative law, European law or public international law. It is one of the few courses directed to obtain skills essential for lawyers: tackling legal problems in a structured way. The course includes a library instruction, lectures and training in argumentation, writing assignments, presentation skills training and concludes with a Moot Court session.
The course Moot Court LLC Public International Law is intended for exchange students studying in Leiden and offers students an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of a particular issue in international law. The case problem distributed to the students presents a (hypothetical) dispute between two countries before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea or an arbitration tribunal. Issues can include the use of force, cyber warfare, diplomatic and consular relations, environmental law, state responsibility, law of the sea or any other international law subject. The course serves as an excellent preparation for a Moot Court competition in any field of law.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course
Students will learn to present a well-structured argument, both in writing and orally.
Achievement levels
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
The student is able to write a memo concerning a specific legal question.
The student is able to make a persuasive oral presentation before a panel of three judges/practitioners/experts.
Timetable
The course includes three plenary sessions and a library instructionin the first two weeks. Tutorials and skills training will be on Thursdays or Fridays (subject to changes). A detailed timetable will be made available on Brightspace.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Number of (2 hour) lectures: 3
Names of lecturers: Ms. E. Kentin
Required preparation by students: to be announced
Tutorials
Number of tutorials: 3
Names of instructors: Ms. E. Kentin
Required preparation by students: writing assignments
Other methods of instruction
Description: Presentation skills training
Number of (1 hour) trainings: 5
Names of instructors: to be announced
Required preparation by students: instructions in the syllabus
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
Partial exams in the form of writing assignments: list of arguments (12%), memorial (36%), memorandum of oral pleading (24%). Only the list of arguments can be retaken (maximum grade in this case is a 6). The weighted average of the writing assignments should be above 5.5 to proceed to the oral exam.
Final examination in the form of an oral exam: presentation before a Moot Court of three judges (28%). Only in exceptional circumstances this oral exam can be retaken.
Submission procedures
Upload via Brightspace. See for further information the syllabus.
Areas to be tested within the exam
General knowledge of and case specific, in-depth knowledge of international law. Writing, presentation and argumentation skills.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Syllabus:
available at Brightspace
OSCOLA (4th edn, Hart Publishers) and OSCOLA 2006: Citing International Law, both available at http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/publications/ oscola.php
CE Schjatvet & Z Hafez, ILSA Guide to International Law Moot Court Competition (LLI 2003) (available online at https://www.ilsa.org ($10) and to be borrowed from the lecturer)
Recommended course materials
S Bailey, The Essentials of Academic Writing for International Students (Routledge 2015)
E Baskind, Mooting: the definitive guide (Routledge 2018)
C Kee, The art of argument: a guide to mooting (CUP 2006)
JG Merrills, International dispute settlement (6th edn, CUP 2017)
SI Strong, How to write law essays and exams (4rd edn, OUP 2014)
Registration
Check the website under “course and exam enrollment” for information on how to register for the course.
Maximum of 32 students. Exchange students have priority and will be registered for the course first by the Office of International Education. Remaining spots will be available for law students from Leiden University and other Dutch Universities.
Contact information
Coordinator: Ms. Esther Kentin
Work address: KOG, Room A311
Contact information: Moot Court Secretariat A319.
Telephone number: 071 5275358/1985
E-mail: e.kentin@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Institute for Interdisciplinary Study of Law
Department: Moot Court and Advocacy
Room number Secretariat: A319
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-16:00
Telephone number Secretariat: 071 5271985
E-mail: mootcourt@law.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
In case of (corona)restrictions imposed by the government, this course description is subject to change.