ICJ Information

ICJ Committee:

“The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.

The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.”
In the MUN circuit, the ICJ is distinguished from the other committees by its unique procedures and structure. The issues that are dealt with in the court concern International law and the significance of its cases sets the committee aside as prestigious.

 ICJ Advocates:

A panel of serious judges; an experienced Officers’ team; and yet the ICJ stands or falls on the quality of its two Advocate teams! It is the quality of their research, the solidity and subtlety of their arguments, their capacity to use their sources judiciously, their preparations of the “witnesses”, their familiarity with the legal intricacies, and their rhetoric, which carries the day and holds the Court spellbound. Advocates need to be endowed with enthusiasm, passion and sheer grit! Their preparation is long and extensive. They also need to be able to “think on their feet”, respond meaningfully to challenges thrown their way by the adverse party, and to formulate pertinent questions in cross-examination.

This is why Advocates need to be appointed in June, to afford a stretch of time to ready themselves for this key role. Over the summer and the months leading to the conference, the appointed advocates will be closely working with the President and Vice-President of the court, preparing the specific documents of the court: stipulations, memorandum, speeches, witness coaching, etc.

The success of this committee rests on their shoulders. Delegates who seek more “action” and significance during the conference are highly encouraged to apply, as it is a rewarding and meaningful experience – even if demanding

Two teams of two advocates each are appointed to represent the legal position of the two sides to the case before the court.

 ICJ Case:

 Ukraine vs. Russian Federation

Application of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

 On January 16th, 2017, the country of Ukraine appealed to the international Court of Justice filing a claim against the Russian Federation, due to alleged Russian breaches of the Convention on the Suppression of Financing Terrorism and the International Convention on Elimination on all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Ukraine considers the Russian instigation and maintenance of the armed insurrection against the Ukrainian government in Eastern Ukraine since 2014 a breach of the Convention on the Suppression of Financing Terrorism.

Furthermore, Ukraine claims that Russia’s forceful seizure of Crimea and the illegal referendum that legitimizes their military control is a breach of the CERD due to the violence and intimidation it imposes upon non-Russian ethnic groups

Additionally, the Russian transfers and other support for illegal armed groups such as the Donetsk and Kuhnaks People’s Republics in Eastern Ukraine, along with its campaigns of cultural erasure in Crimea and treatment of the TarTar and Ukrainian minorities in the region are under scrutiny. The Ukrainian government is also seeking compensation for it deems to be terrorist acts committed in its borders, the bombing of civilian zones and the shoot down of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.

ICJ Officers:

  • President: Caroline Maschka
  • Vice-President & Registrar: Kosta Lovato

ICJ Advocates Appointment:

  • Representing Russia:  Rayan Singh and Sam Reza  —  Zurich International School
  • Representing Ukraine: Kaitlyn Whitsitt and Yana Tucker  —  Anglo-American School of Moscow

ICJ Judges:

  • Nicole Pesquin — ASP
  • Anabella Prosperi — ASP
  • Anthony Ozerov — Anglo-American School of Moscow
  • Francesca Barbieri — British School of Milan
  • Ah Min Lee — British School of Milan
  • Jad Kamel — Dubai American Academy
  • Amadea Hoffman — Frankfurt International School
  • Mette Gathergood — International School of Estonia
  • Maysoon Hussein — ISG Dammam
  • Samson Tu Kang — Chiao International School
  • Arthur Njamfa — Lycée J-P Vernant
  • Christopher Long — Woodbridge School
  • Daniel Hampstead — Woodbridge School

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