Introduction and Details about the ICJ

Hello Everyone!

Remember how it felt to be at your first conference? If you haven’t been a part of the ICJ before, that’s precisely how this transition may feel. You have to take everything that you took for granted about an MUN committee and throw it out the window, because in the ICJ you’re going to have to get used to new terminology, procedure, and a fast-paced debate as events unfold right before your eyes. As such, there are crucial details of an ICJ committee that both differentiate it from regular MUN proceedings and create a novel experience for everyone involved.

You’re no longer a representative of a country arguing your stance in front of a whole committee. Rather, you’ve now become esteemed judges expected to react to evidence about a real-life situation to create an argument grounded in legal precedent. As such, the first thing that you need to do, is to get into the mindset of analyzing situations from a legal perspective. Does a particular action that a country took violate international law? If so, what ramifications could it have on the international community? These are some of the questions that you should keep in mind when formulating your opinion on the contentious case. Remember, the role of an ICJ judge is to determine, not a resolution, but a personal verdict for the case based on the presentation of evidence from both sides of the contentious issue.

              Now onto my absolute favorite part of the ICJ: witnesses! Witnesses, like in a court of law, are called upon by both sides of the case to argue in favor of their side. It’s your job to interpret their testimony in relation to the facts of the case. As judges, you will be allowed to cross-examine witnesses and ask them questions. During this time, your research into the topic and your quick-thinking will come into play as you attempt to press witnesses for more information. Just be careful, some witnesses will be less than helpful! Regardless of all the differences between the ICJ and other committees, there is one indisputable fact that remains the same: preparation is everything. In the ICJ more than every other committee, your knowledge of the case and legal precedents that relate to it will directly influence your ability to weigh in on debate especially as more witnesses are introduced and the conflict unfolds.

              Seeing as the topic for this year’s ICJ is the question of the accusation of genocide levied against the Republic of Serbia by Bosnia and Herzegovina, a useful place to begin looking for information might be past agreements or conventions regarding the issue. I look forward to seeing all your ideas about the case! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at asrikanth@bmun.org.

Yours,

Ashwin