Osgoode Hall Law School is set to represent Canada at The Hague in May, the renowned court for international criminal law and the seat of the United Nations. Competing against top law schools such as Georgetown, University of Chicago, and University of Miami, Osgoode’s team will face a challenging and intellectually rigorous competition.
This year’s case touches on critical issues, including the persecution and siege of civilians, destruction of cultural heritage, and genocide. It addresses the distinction between civilians and combatants and encompasses crimes against humanity and war crimes. The case highlights the importance of international criminal law in addressing contemporary issues like ethnicide, genocide, and discrimination, drawing parallels to historical events like the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide.
The Osgoode team has undergone months of intensive training and preparation, facing rigorous questioning by a panel of judges. Their efforts have led them to the semi-finals, qualifying for the prestigious competition at The Hague. This achievement is a testament to the team’s commitment and the high standard of legal education at Osgoode.
As the competition approaches in May, the team will tackle complex legal issues, referencing landmark cases such as Lubanga, Ongwen, and the challenges faced in Kosovo. These cases set important precedents in prosecuting gender-based crimes of violence, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, as well as in establishing liability within a chain of command. Their arguments will explore the nuanced balancing test of factors such as the ability to meaningfully instruct counsel in determining fitness to stand trial.
At the semi-finals, the team won awards for best prosecution, defense, and victim memorials, as well as best oralist for the prosecution. We encourage the Osgoode community and international criminal law enthusiasts to support our distinguished international criminal law mooting team as they represent Canada on this global stage.