ICJ (International Court of Justice) Committee Procedure

Role call

Motion to open debate

Lawyers are introduced by the Dias

            Prosecution – opening statement

            Defense – opening statement

Justices question the lawyers

            All questions are in round robin form

Three witnesses for the prosecution are presented in the following format:

1. Swearing in – witness is introduced and sworn in
2. Initial questioning – prosecuting lawyer is allowed to initial questioning of the witness
3. Cross examination – defense lawyer cross examines the witness
4. Redirect – prosecuting lawyer is allowed to address any new points that have arisen during the cross examination
5. Justice questioning – justices are allowed the opportunity to question the witness and the lawyers in round robin form; a justice may pass if he/she does not with to ask a question
6. After each witness is excused, the justices may then caucus to discuss the witness’s testimony.

After the prosecution has presented all of its witnesses, the counsel for the defense will present their three witnesses in the same format as the prosecutions witnesses with the defending lawyer questioning before the prosecuting lawyer.

The prosecuting lawyer presents a closing statement.

The defending lawyer presents a closing statement.

The justices will make speeches that address their opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

Deliberations: this is the ICJ equivalent of voting bloc. A motion will be taken to enter deliberation and the justices will vote on the motion. “Deliberations” is essentially a long caucus in which all of the justices form a majority bloc and a potential minority bloc. Each bloc will write their opinions regarding the guilt of the defendant, their reasoning, and their prescribed punishment. Justices within the blocs may submit their own written responses if they wish to elaborate on the process that led to their decision or on their differences in opinion. After all the opinions are submitted to the Dias, the chairperson will announce the verdict and punishment as per the decision of the majority bloc.

**If the justices wish to recall a witness for further questioning, they must do so before entering deliberations.

*Adapted from MVHS MUN ICJ Rules