The Hague Study Mission

Day 1 – Arrival & Introduction to International Law

Participants arrive in The Hague and check into the hotel. The afternoon begins with an introductory session covering the international legal order: how international courts and tribunals operate, what their jurisdictions are, and how they relate to one another. The session also provides an overview of the Dutch academic landscape, including Leiden University’s renowned Faculty of Law, with its LLM programmes in public international law and international criminal law, and the career paths available to students who want to work in international justice. The evening features a welcome dinner in the city centre.

Day 2 – International Criminal Court & International Court of Justice

The morning is spent at the International Criminal Court. Depending on the court’s calendar, participants may attend a public hearing, a rare and formative experience for anyone studying international criminal law. Following the hearing (or a dedicated briefing when hearings are not in session), the group meets a member of the Court’s personnel, a judge’s legal officer, a prosecutor, or a member of the Registry, who speaks candidly about their career path and the realities of working at the ICC. In the afternoon, the group visits the Peace Palace, seat of the International Court of Justice. A guided tour is followed by a briefing on the ICJ’s jurisdiction, its recent cases, and how legal professionals can contribute to proceedings before the world’s principal judicial organ.

Day 3 – OPCW, Chemical Weapons Workshop & Moot Trial

The morning is dedicated to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, where participants receive a briefing on the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW’s verification mission, and its response to recent uses of chemical weapons in conflict zones. A workshop on chemical weapons in international law follows, exploring how the prohibition regime works, how violations are investigated and adjudicated, and what careers the OPCW offers. The afternoon shifts to a moot court session: participants take part in a simulated international criminal trial, arguing positions as prosecutors, defence counsel, or judges. The moot trial is facilitated by a legal professional and gives participants hands-on experience of courtroom advocacy and legal argumentation.

Day 4 – Leiden University & Closing Session

The final day begins with a visit to Leiden University, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, with a Faculty of Law that consistently ranks among the world’s best for international and European law. Participants meet with the international admissions team for a detailed session on LLM and bachelor’s programme requirements, scholarships, and the application process. A Q&A with current students provides a peer-to-peer perspective on academic life in Leiden. The visit closes with a discussion on how to build a career in international justice: the role of internships and clerkships, how to navigate application processes at international courts, and what skills matter most. Participants return for the closing round table before departing.