THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Paris Nanterre University has been crowned champion of the 5th edition of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court Competition in French, following a compelling final round held in Courtroom 2 of the ICC headquarters on May 21, 2026
The prestigious competition, organized by The Hague Academy of International Law with support from the French Embassy in the Netherlands, brought together 37 universities from 15 countries to debate complex issues of international criminal justice.
Competition Results & Award Winners
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Position
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University
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Team Members
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1st Place
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Paris Nanterre University
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Maude Besné, Lola Scotti, Charlie Letort, Eva Drame
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2nd Place
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Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University
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Team members not disclosed
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Best Speaker
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Maude Besné (Paris Nanterre) & Marina-Hillary Lutete (Paris 1)
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Individual honors
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The final round featured oral arguments on a fictitious international criminal case, with teams alternating roles as Legal Representatives of Victims and Defense Counsel. All proceedings were web-streamed live on the ICC’s official website, expanding global access to this educational initiative.
ICC Judge Haykel Ben Mahfoudh presided over the final bench, lending judicial expertise and real-world perspective to the evaluation process.
Why This Competition Matters for International Law
The ICC Moot Court Competition series plays a critical role in advancing global legal education. As part of its Academic Programme, the International Criminal Court supports moot competitions in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese, with plans to launch an Arabic-language edition in the future.
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“These initiatives play a critical role in galvanising interest in the Court’s work with academic communities as well as in enhancing promotion and respect for international criminal law.”
— International Criminal Court Academic Programme
The competition simulates authentic ICC proceedings, requiring participants to master:
- Rome Statute interpretation and application
- Procedural rules of international criminal tribunals
- Advocacy skills in multilingual, multicultural settings
- Complex legal research on genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity
The ICCMCC is recognized as the world’s largest competition on international criminal law and is considered one of the “grand slam” major moots globally.
Paris Nanterre: A Hub for International Legal Excellence
Paris Nanterre University’s victory underscores its reputation as a leading institution for international law education in France. The university’s law faculty is particularly noted for its exceptional faculty in international law and diverse master’s programming.
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Graduates from Paris Nanterre’s law programs are frequently recruited by:
- International law firms and NGOs
- Government diplomatic services
- International courts and tribunals
- Human rights organizations
The university’s Centre de Droit International (CEDIN), formerly directed by renowned scholar Professor Alain Pellet, has long contributed to France’s influence in public international law discourse.
How the ICC French Moot Works:
- Preliminary Rounds: Written memorials submitted by participating universities
- Regional Qualifiers: Oral rounds conducted virtually or in-person
- Finals in The Hague: Top teams argue before ICC judges and legal officers
- Educational Programming: Workshops, networking, and ICC facility tours
The Hague Academy of International Law, housed in the iconic Peace Palace, provides high-level education in public and private international law and serves as a key partner in delivering this experiential learning opportunity
