Class study visit to international courts, tribunals and organisations

The 2004/05 class in Law and Policy of International Courts and Tribunals (LPICT) visited the following international courts and international organisations on 11-15 April 2005:

• International Court of Justice (ICJ), The Hague
• International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), The Hague
• International Criminal Court (ICC), The Hague
• European Court of Justice (ECJ), Luxembourg
• European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Strasbourg
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva

The class activity was organised with the support and encouragement of Prof. Philippe Sands QC, as well as Dr. Matthew Craven and Ms. Ruth Mackenzie. In previous years, LPICT classes had made similar visits to international courts and organisations.

Participants:
1. André Palacios (Philippines, UCL, committee) 
2. Sapna Khajuria (India, SOAS, committee) 
3. Sarah Smith (UK, UCL, committee) 
4. Justin Haccius (UK, QMUL, committee) 
5. Priyadharshini Dias (Sri Lanka, KCL, committee) 
6. Minelik Alemu Getahun (Ethiopia, UCL) 
7. Philip Odoki (Uganda, UCL) 
8. Andie Driu (Fiji, UCL) 
9. Nathalie van den Berg (The Netherlands, UCL) 
10. Mijntina Goudriaan (The Netherlands, UCL) 
11. Barbara Oliveira (Brazil, UCL) 
12. Michelle Forbes (Jamaica, UCL) 
13. Jelena Nedeviuouc (Serbia and Montenegro, UCL) 
14. Matthew McAllister (US, UCL) 
15. Naznin Islam (UK, UCL) 
16. Naoko Hagihara (Japan, UCL) 
17. Rachel Brailsford (UK, KCL) 
18. Roz Campion (UK, KCL) 
19. Mba Nmaju (Nigeria, QMUL) 
20. Stefano La Tella (Italy, SOAS) 
21. Leslie Burgos (Sweden, SOAS) 
22. Mika Sunahachi (Japan, SOAS) 
23. Olivia Tamon (Cameroon, SOAS)

Schedule of activities (10-15 April 2005)
10 April 2005, Sunday, The Hague 
*12:00 onwards: checked-in at Stayokay Hostel 
*19:00: class members had dinner at Schevenigen, The Hague 

11 April 2005, Monday, The Hague 
*10:00: class attended ICJ public hearing of DR Congo v Uganda 
*15:00: class met with Judge Rosalyn Higgins at ICJ 

12 April 2005, Tuesday, The Hague 
*09:30: class observed ICTY trial of Slobodan Milosevic 
*13:00: class had discussion with Prof. Philippe Sands QC and law professors from Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
*14:30: class had an appointment at ICC 
*17:36: train departed from The Hague (changed trains in Brussels) 
*23:36: train arrived in Luxembourg 

13 April 2005, Wednesday, Luxembourg 
*10:00: class had an appointment at ECJ 

14 April 2005, Thursday, Strasbourg 
*05:41: train departed from Luxembourg (changed trains in Metz Ville) 
*08:05: train arrived in Strasbourg 
*10:00: class had appointment at ECHR 
*17:00 : train departed from Strasbourg (via Basel) 
*21:05: train arrived in Geneva 

15 April 2005, Friday, Geneva 
*13:00: class had an appointment at ICRC

The Hague (11-12 April 2005) 

*International Court of Justice (ICJ) 

On 11 April 2005 (Monday), at 10:00, the class attended the opening session of the ICJ public hearing of the Case concerning Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda). The class had hoped to listen to Prof. Philippe Sands QC, who is one of the counsel for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as he addressed the court. However, Prof. Sands was scheduled to address the ICJ the next day on 12 April. After the hearing, the group had lunch at the Refectorium at the Peace Palace. 

At 15:00, the LPICT class met with Mme. Judge Rosalyn Higgins of the ICJ at her office in the building adjoining the Peace Palace. Mme. Higgins discussed the unique role of the ICJ in the international legal system and thereafter answered questions from members of the class. 

The next day, on 12 April 2005 (Tuesday), at 13:00, the LPICT class returned to the Peace Palace for a discussion with Prof. Philippe Sands QC and law professors from the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) (Prof. Olivier Corten, Prof. Pierre Klein, and Prof. Jean Salmon) regarding some of the interesting points of the case. Law students from ULB also attended the discussion. 

*International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) 

On 12 April 2005 (Tuesday), at 09:30, the group went to the ICTY to observe the trial of The Prosecutor v. Slobodan Milosevic. The LPICT class had an appointment at the ICTY on 11 April, but had to move the appointment to 12 April. Mr Jan Kralt (ICTY staff) initially informed the committee that the group cannot visit on 12 April. However, he emailed a week before the trip that the group may observe the Milosevic trial. There was some difficulty coordinating with Mr Kralt regarding the class trip. 

At the ICTY, Atty. Edgar Chen (email: chen.edgar@gmail.com), who is lawyer in charge of monitoring the Milosevic trial for the international non-governmental organisation Coalition for International Justice (website: http://www.cij.org/), provided useful insights into the ICTY operations and the Milosevic trial. 

From the ICTY building, the LPICT class went to the Peace Palace for the discussion with Prof. Sands and the ULB law professors (please see above).

*International Criminal Court (ICC) 

On 12 April 2005 (Tuesday), at 14:30, LPICT class arrived at the ICC, and listened to presentations by: 

(a) a lawyer from the ICC Registry, 
(b) Mr Fabricio Guariglia, ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), and 
(c) Mr Erkki Kourula, Judge of the ICC Appeals Division. 

Security at the ICC was very tight. LPICT students were required to present their passports and were prohibited from taking photographs inside and in front of the ICC building. At 16:00, immediately after the presentations, the students returned to the hostel to get their luggage and went to the train station to catch the train to Luxembourg departing at 17:36. 

Luxemburg (13 April 2005) 

*European Court of Justice (ECJ) [or the Court of Justice of the European Communities] 

On 13 April 2005 (Wednesday), at 10:00, the LPICT class arrived at the ECJ and listened to presentations by: 

(a) Ms Alexandra, a lawyer working with one of the ECJ judges, 
(b) Mr Matthew Radley, Referendaire, Cabt Judge Forwood, European Court of First Instance (ECFI); and 
(c) Mr Jose Maria Fernandez Martin, Referendaire, Advocate General Francis Jacobs. 

Advocate General Francis Jacobs addressed the LPICT class and answered questions regarding the ECJ system and the role of the Advocate General. The group were then treated to lunch and were served excellent food, delicious desserts and fine wine, courtesy of Advocate General Jacobs. 

Strasbourg (14 April 2005) 

*European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) 

On 14 April 2005 (Thursday), at 10:00, the LPICT group visited the ECHR and were given a presentation by Mr. Dovydas Vitkauskas, Lawyer, ECHR Registry. 

Geneva (15 April 2005) 

Sapna (committee member in charge of court appointments) sought an appointment with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, but the WTO secretariat regretfully informed her that they could not accommodate the LPICT class on the week of 11-15 April. Around thirteen (13) members of the LPICT class however decided to proceed to Geneva to visit the international organisations there. Justin, who had worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), booked an appointment with the ICRC. 

*International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 

On 15 April 2005 (Friday), at 13:00, the remaining members of the LPICT group proceeded to the ICRC for a discussion with Mr. Antoine Bouvier, ICRC Delegate to Academic Circles. 

Contact details for courts and organisations

The International Court of Justice 
The Peace Palace 
2517 KJ The Hague 
The Netherlands 
Tel: +31-703022338
Contacts: Mr. Arthur Witteveen and Ms. Susannah Burer

International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia 
PO Box 13888 
2501 EW The Hague 
The Netherlands 
Tel: +31-705125285

International Criminal Court 
P O Box 19519 
The Hague 
The Netherlands 
Tel: +31-705158186
Contact: Mr. Patrick Nicolle, patrick.nicolle@icc-cpi.int

The Court of Justice of the European Communities 
Palais de Cour de Justice 
Boulevard Konrad Adenauer Kirchberg
L-2925 Luxembourg 
Tel: +352-433766
Contact: Ms. Marly Ludwigs, maria.ludwigs@curia.eu.int

European Court of Human Rights 
Conseil de l'Europe 
F-67075 Strasbourg CEDEX 
France 
Tel: +33-388412018
Contact: Ms. Isabelle Kusztyk, isabelle.kusztyk@echr.coe.int

International Committee of the Red Cross 
19 avenue de la Paix 
CH 1202 Geneva 
Switzerland 
Tel: + 41 (22) 73460017
Contact: Caroline Barnes Williams, cbarnes.gva@icrc.org

Accommodations, travel arrangements, visa

Stayokay Hostel 
Scheepmarkersstraat 27 
2515 VA Den Haag 
www.stayokay.com/denhaag 
Tel: (+31) (0)70 315 7878 
Fax: (+31) (0)70 315 7877 
Approx. £15 per person per night (group rate)
Two nights (10 and 11 April 2005)

Comments: The rooms were comfortable and clean. The hostel is conveniently located near Holland Spoor train station and near the trams enabling ease of access to the courts. The deposit/advance for group booking was paid through bank transfer, with the necessary £25 bank charge for said bank transfer. 

Luxembourg Youth Hostel 
2, rue du Fort Olisy 
L-2261 Luxembourg 
Tel: (352) 22 68 89 20 
Fax: (352) 22 33 60 
E-mail: luxembourg@youthhostels.lu
Contact: Marco Bermes & Laurent Kreintz 
€16.30 per person per night
Two nights (12 and 13 April 2005)

Comments: The hostel is very clean and comfortable. It is within walking distance of the town and there is a bus at the top of the road. Group bookings could not be made through the hostel website. The website also stated that the reception desk closed after 23:00. The group arrived at midnight and although the hostel staff were not particularly organised, they were kind enough to accommodate the group's late arrival. 

Geneva Youth Hostel (Auberge de Jeunesse Genevè) 
28-30 Rue Rothschild 
CH 1202 Geneva 
Switzerland 
Tel: +41 22 732 62 60 
Fax: +41 22 738 39 87
€26 per person per night

The Organising Committee made group bookings for the trains, but members of the class booked their flights on their own.

The Organising Committee could not book for the class because: (a) EasyJet* does not allow group bookings, and (b) the class could not agree on a date/time for departure from and return to London. (*EasyJet seemed to provide the cheapest flights.) Flights should be booked early (early January for the best deal) as the flight prices go up steadily. Several students had difficulty booking their flight and were assisted by the Organising Committee. 

The schedule and costs (per person) of the trains are as follows: 

12 April: Hague-Luxembourg- £36 per person 
*17:36: train departed from The Hague (changed trains in Brussels) 
*23:36: train arrived in Luxembourg 

14 April: Luxembourg-Strasbourg- £17.50 per person 
*05:41: train departed from Luxembourg (changed trains in Metz Ville) 
*08:05: train arrived in Strasbourg 

15 April: Strasbourg-Geneva (Via Basel)- £31 per person
*17:00: train departed from Strasbourg (via Basel) 
*21:05: train arrived in Geneva

If only there were accommodations available in Strasbourg, then the stressful early morning (05:41) train travel from Luxembourg to Strasbourg could have been avoided. 

Sarah (committee member in charge of trains) made the group bookings through Rail Europe (email: groups@raileurope.co.uk) (contact: Stephen). Train prices differ depending on the route and time of travel. It was necessary to collect the money from the students in plenty of time and finalise numbers as soon as possible. Train tickets were sent by Rail Europe by post at least two weeks before the travel date. 

Some LPICT students (e.g., those who were not citizens of the UK, the EU, the US, Japan, etc.) needed a visa to enter the Schengen Area (including The Netherlands and France). It was easier to obtain a tourist visa, compared to a study visa. Students had to submit various documents, such as travel insurance and proof of hostel/hotel booking. It was necessary to apply for a visa early because the visa process takes at least two weeks.

Funding

The Organising Committee sought financial assistance from numerous entities to help students defer the cost of the class study visit. 

The Centre for International Courts and Tribunals (CICT) and Clifford Chance generously donated to the class £750 and £1,000, respectively. 

University College London (UCL) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) gave each student from their college £100 in financial assistance. King's College London (KCL) and Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) were more generous and gave £200 to each of their students.

London, 24 June 2005.
Report prepared by the members of the Organising Committee:

• André Palacios
• Sapna Khajuria
• Sarah Smith
• Justin Haccius
• Robin Rosche
• Priyadharshini Dias

The Centre on International Courts and Tribunals, Faculty of Laws, University College London (UCL)

Project on International Courts and Tribunals