Powered by
MOMENTUM
MEDIA
Students from the Queensland-based university have taken out the title at the world’s largest English-language simulation of International Criminal Court proceedings in the ICC Moot Court Competition.
Australia’s Bond University has been named world champion at the prestigious 13th International Bar Association (IBA) International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court Competition.
Held in The Hague from 12 to 19 June, the global competition brought together more than 550 students from 94 teams across 48 countries, who undertook high-level advocacy before leading figures in international criminal law.
The Queensland-based university team was made up of Laila Chequer de Souza, Kathleen Trafford, Lachlan Croser, and Fletcher O’Connell.
The team’s winning performance centred on a simulated ICC appeal in The Prosecutor v Droganna Syrax, a fictional case involving alleged crimes in Essuss and the central question of whether the president of Merine, a non-signatory to the ICC, could face prosecution.
The final round was held in the ICC courtroom, before an ICC judge and legal officers.
While Bond University claimed the title, the National Law School of India University finished as runner-up, with Singapore Management University securing third place.
IBA president Claudio Visco congratulated all participants, praising Bond University’s winning performance for its legal skill, teamwork, and professionalism, while also commending the efforts of every student who took part.
“On behalf of the IBA, I warmly congratulate Bond University on winning the 2026 IBA International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition,” Visco said.
“This achievement reflects not only exceptional legal knowledge and advocacy skills, but also the dedication, teamwork, and professionalism required to succeed at the highest level of international legal education.
“Most importantly, I commend every student who participated in this year’s competition.”
The world’s largest English-language simulation of ICC proceedings was jointly organised by the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University in partnership with the International Bar Association (IBA).
Visco also highlighted the broader significance of the competition, noting that initiatives of this kind play an important role in strengthening international legal cooperation at a time of increasing pressure on the global rule of law.
“At a time when the international legal order faces significant challenges, initiatives such as this competition play a vital role in fostering critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and a commitment to the rule of law,” Visco said.
“Through their participation, these students have engaged with some of the most complex issues in international criminal justice while building professional relationships that transcend borders.”
Beyond the final team rankings, a series of individual and team awards were also presented during the ceremony, recognising excellence in advocacy, legal reasoning, and professionalism.
Among the honours, the Best Speaker Award was presented to Ayesha Khan of the National Law School of India University in recognition of her outstanding oral advocacy, while Hidayatullah National Law University in Raipur received the award for Best Overall Memorial.
