Turin, 30 March – 2 April 2026

Deadline for application:  15 March 2026

in cooperation with 

The Office of Public Counsel for the Defence of the International Criminal Court

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in cooperation with the International Criminal Court Office of Public Counsel for the Defence (ICC-OPCD), is organizing the fourteenth edition of the International Criminal Law Defence Seminar, which focuses on the main issues and strategies related to the field of defence in the international criminal law. The Seminar will be held at the United Nations Campus in Turin (Italy) from Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April 2026, with lectures from 9.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. 

The four-day seminar will cover all aspects of international criminal defence within the framework of international criminal law. In particular, those related to the functioning of the defence teams and Court offices, the lawyer-client relationship, the defence ethics, the strategies of the case and the investigations, the mechanisms behind plea negotiations, the structuring of legal arguments, considerations in trial proceedings, detention issues and the post-trial phase. Topics will be presented in a highly interactive and dynamic way, enabling participants to acquire practical skills that can be of immediate use in daily practice.

Course topics include:

• Basic principles of International Criminal Law
• Punishable conducts and modes of liability
• Introduction to the ICC Rules of Procedure and Evidence
• Introduction and overview of International Criminal Defence
• Defence Counsel qualifications and training - setting up a defence team
• Lawyer-client relationship Defence investigations and strategies
• Sources of case law
• How to structure and present legal arguments
• Direct and cross-examination by the Defence
• Execution phase

The training will be led by Ms. Marie O'Leary, Acting Principal Counsel, Office of Public Counsel for the Defence of the International Criminal Court (ICC-OPCD) and Ms. Sarah Bafadhel , Barrister and Defence Counsel at the International Criminal Court.

The Seminar is organised in the framework of the LL.M. in Transnational Crime and Justice, jointly delivered by UNICRI and the University for Peace (UPEACE). Selected participants will have the chance to attend the Seminar along with LL.M. students.

KEY FACTS

1. Entry requirements

The Seminar is designed for practising and trainee lawyers interested in international criminal law, whether working before national or international courts, as well as for those professionals engaged with organizations involved in this field. The Seminar is held in English; therefore, a good command of the language is required.

2. How to apply

• Application deadline: please complete and send the application form to unicri.llm@un.org by 15 March 2026.
• Confirmation of acceptance: the selection process results will be communicated via e-mail within 5 working days following receipt of the application and no later than 20 March 2026. The selection will be carried out on a rolling-basis.
• Payment deadline: full payment has to be finalized within 7 days following confirmation of acceptance and no later than 27 March 2026 (i.e. candidates should provide UNICRI with proof of payment via e-mail to unicri.llm@un.org).

Download Application Form

3. Applicants requiring VISA (IMPORTANT)

Those applicants requiring VISA are strongly suggested to submit an early application (preferably by end of January 2026) and notify the UNICRI LL.M. Organizers. The VISA shall be issued by the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities in the countries of nationality or residence of participants. Please consider that issuing a VISA by Italian Embassies and Consulates takes approximately 30 days. UNICRI cannot be held accountable in case of VISA refusal.

4. Registration Fees

Registration fees amount to 1,000 Euro.  Registration fees do not cover expenses related to travel, meals, accommodation, and VISA.

5. Cancellation and Refunds

In the event of a participant cancellation for any reason, including VISA denial, registration fees will not be refunded.

7. Certificate of participation

Upon attendance to all the lectures and completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of participation. Attendance is compulsory for the entire duration of the course. Absence grounded on serious reasons may be considered at the Organizers discretion.

Recognition of professional training credits for Italian lawyers will be requested to the Turin Bar Association. Further information for Italian lawyers can be provided upon request.

7. Contacts

Email: unicri.llm@un.org (please indicate “Defence Seminar” in the subject of the email); Tel: +39 011 6537157