Overview

Which organisations have the authority to intervene when violations of human rights occur? Which legal means can be used to combat international terrorism?

In the International Criminal Law specialisation (of the Advanced LLM in Public International Law), you will gain foundational knowledge on international criminal law and international criminal procedure. You will study the systemic environment of international criminal law and its link to related fields, such as

• international human rights law
• international humanitarian law and
• general public international law.

Outside of your coursework, additional time will be allotted for you to pursue personal interests within related fields. You will be specifically trained in criminal procedure as well as advocacy and cross-examination. Classes involve real life assignments from practice. You will write, argue and defend motions, individually or in a team, before practicing lawyers or litigation specialists. Special attention will be devoted to the law of international criminal courts and tribunals (e.g. International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, International Criminal Court) and the link to legal practice.

What you will learn

In our seminars, you will be introduced to topics such as international crimes, modes of liability, general principles of international criminal law and impediments to enforcement. Particular emphasis will be placed on perfecting research skills and critically reflecting on the current structure of human rights mechanisms. Such discourse will occur through readings, analyses, discussions, writing papers, giving presentations and engaging in guest lectures.

Career prospects

The programme is specifically designed to provide students with advocacy and litigation skills necessary to pursue a career in the areas of peace and justice. It offers students from all over the world the opportunity to benefit from the unique environment of The Hague as host of international institutions. The programme provides a port of entry to internship and job opportunities with international organisations, international courts and tribunals, Defence teams and NGOs or in academia.
As a graduate, you will be qualified for a range of positions within organisations such as:

• international courts
• international organisations
• national judicial institutions
• non-governmental organisations
• the foreign service
• prestigious law firms
• academic and research institutes

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.