Law students participated in the ICC Moot Court Competition in The Hague on 11-18 June 2025

 

This year, 88 universities with more than 450 students from 45 countries participated in the ICC Moot Court Competition, which offered the students the unique opportunity to improve their knowledge of international criminal law and meet experts in the field.

The Tallinn University team consisted of 2nd and 3rd year Law students Emilia Celina Miller, Laura Reinberg, Laura Taklaja, Valeriya Kiselyova and Mariia Koliadiuk. They were coached by dr Karolina Aksamitowska, Sofiia Loienko, Krystian Lapka and Eliisa Vihljajeva.

 

 

Here is what the students said about their experience:

I had the honour of representing Tallinn University as a speaker for the Victims’ Counsel at the 2025 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition in The Hague. The experience was both academically rigorous and personally rewarding, offering a unique opportunity to engage with international criminal law at a high level.

While I had previous experience with legal research and writing, this competition was my first exposure to structured oral advocacy. Pleading before panels of legal professionals was a valuable experience. One of the most challenging aspects was responding to judges’ questions, particularly because their content was unpredictable. Over time, I came to view these questions as constructive, not as interruptions, but as opportunities to elaborate on key points and engage more deeply with the issues at hand.

What made the experience truly transformative was its blend of legal precision and emotional depth. As a speaker for the Victims, I had to not only advocate from a position of legal authority, but also ensure that the voices of those most affected by international crimes were heard and dignified. This role pushed me to reflect more deeply on what justice means in practice, and how legal mechanisms can serve as a bridge between technical law and human impact.

The competition also included seminars hosted by Leiden University, which were informative and current. In particular, the session on the legal development of ecocide stood out as a highlight, offering insight into the evolving landscape of international criminal law.

Overall, the IBA ICC Moot Court was a formative experience. It strengthened my skills in legal analysis and advocacy and broadened my perspective on international legal processes.

- Laura Taklaja, 2nd year Law student

For me, ICC Moot is the second moot court I participated in and it was equally exciting and educational as my first (Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot). It was a perfect opportunity to grow as a person and develop as a law student.

Participating in a moot court is hard work which is extremely intense and time consuming, but on the other hand, also a rewarding experience which I can describe as the highlight of my studies.

The ICC Moot is unique in a way that each person has a very specific role to play in the process (prosecution, defense, or victims’ representative) which allowed me to explore International Criminal Law from a perspective of a defence counsel.

The combination of thorough research, refining written submissions and oral practice for months leading up to the competition is ultimately what led to a very pleasant oral rounds in the Hague and valuable knowledge that can be put to use throughout further studies.

I consider this year's moot court to be very successful as I got to meet incredible legal professionals as well as many moot court participants from all over the world which made for an unforgettable experience.

- Emilia Celina Miller, 2nd year Law student

I had the honour of representing Tallinn University as a speaker for the Office of the Prosecutor at the 2025 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition in The Hague. The six months of preparation were challenging and deeply rewarding, helping me strengthen my legal reasoning, oral advocacy, and ability to work under pressure. The competition itself was an exceptional opportunity to argue before panels of legal professionals, engage with law students from around the world, and exchange perspectives on international justice. A particularly compelling aspect was exploring the legal development of ecocide, especially in light of recent geopolitical conflicts and their environmental consequences. I am sincerely grateful to our dedicated coaches and professors for their guidance, encouragement, and support throughout this journey. This experience not only deepened my knowledge of international criminal law but also helped shape my growth as a future legal professional.

- Laura Reinberg, 2nd year Law student