International Criminal Law Advanced

Module 1 — Advanced Principles of Individual Criminal Responsibility

Students examine the foundations of individual criminal responsibility under international law, including legality, culpability, modes of participation and the relationship between individual responsibility and State responsibility.

Module 2 — Modes of Liability

Students examine direct and indirect perpetration, ordering, soliciting, inducing, aiding and abetting, contribution to group criminality and other applicable forms of individual responsibility.

Module 3 — Command and Superior Responsibility

Students analyse the legal principles governing responsibility of military commanders and other superiors for crimes committed by subordinates, including knowledge, control and duties to prevent or punish.

Module 4 — Defences and Grounds Excluding Responsibility

Students examine applicable grounds that may exclude or affect criminal responsibility, including mental capacity, mistake, duress and other recognised legal doctrines within the applicable international criminal law framework.

Module 5 — Jurisdiction and International Cooperation

Students examine jurisdictional principles and mechanisms of international cooperation, including investigation, arrest, surrender, extradition and mutual legal assistance.

Module 6 — Prosecution and Accountability for International Crimes

Students examine advanced issues in the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression, including evidentiary, procedural and accountability considerations.

Knowledge Test

1. What is the purpose of the principle of individual criminal responsibility in international criminal law?

To establish when a person may be held personally responsible for an international crime To impose automatic liability on an entire population To regulate only commercial contracts To eliminate the requirement for evidence

2. What can a mode of liability establish?

The legal basis on which an individual's conduct connects that person to an international crime The nationality of every victim The territorial boundaries of every State The validity of a private contract

3. What is a central issue in superior responsibility?

Whether the superior had the relevant authority or control and the required knowledge concerning crimes by subordinates Whether the superior owned private property Whether the subordinate was employed by a company Whether the crime occurred during peacetime only

4. Why is the principle of legality important in international criminal law?

It protects against criminal punishment for conduct that was not sufficiently defined as criminal under applicable law It permits retroactive criminalisation without restriction It removes the need for a defined offence It applies only to civil disputes

5. What is one purpose of international cooperation in criminal matters?

To facilitate lawful investigation, arrest, surrender, evidence gathering or prosecution across jurisdictions To prevent all cross-border investigations To replace every domestic criminal justice system To regulate international taxation