The ICL Certificate Program is taught by experienced educators, practitioners, and industry experts and is currently divided into two Courses.
Introductory Course
The Introductory Course is composed of 10 introductory modules that cover the history, creation and ideas behind the introduction of international criminal law (ICL) into the global arena of developing and evolving international relations. Modules range from foundational concepts through to the subject areas of genocide, crimes against humanity, and the protections against violations and abuses. The Introductory Course ends with the practical application of ICL in national courts and a probing view at the liabilities, defences and immunities involved in international judicial processes surrounding the use of ICL.
Benefits
The Introductory Course offers students the basic principles of ICL knowledge. These modules provide interesting foundational materials with illustrated examples through videos, photos, optional readings and short online quizzes. The Introductory Course is designed for students with little to no knowledge of ICL, or for those who need updates on key concepts and principles or retraining on the founding pillars. Once you register, there are no deadlines for taking the course, allowing everyone to proceed at their own pace.
Registration
There is no prerequisite to register for the Introductory Course.
Designed for
- Lawyers in private practice with little ICL background
- NGO lawyers and staff working in related areas such as international human rights, international development and peace & security
- Federal and provincial lawyers and other civil servants working in related areas
- Legal and non-legal academics researching and teaching in related fields
- Journalists covering international issues
- Law students with little ICL background
- Pre-law students
Course Content
Lecture 1.0. History, Introduction of ICL and accountability
Instructor: René Provost
Lecture 2.0. The International Criminal Court
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 3.0. Genocide
Instructor: William Schabas
Lecture 4.0. Crimes Against Humanity
Instructor: Darryl Robinson
Lecture 5.0. War Crimes
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 6.0. The Crime of Aggression
Instructor: Tim Radcliffe
Lecture 7.0. Gender-based Crimes in ICL
Instructor: Linda Bianchi
Lecture 8.0. Application of ICL in National Courts
Instructor: Fannie Lafontaine
Lecture 9.0. Principles of Liability in ICL
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 10.0. Defences and immunities
Instructor: Fannie Lafontaine
Register for the Introductory Course
Advanced Course I
[Note: Advanced courses may be amended based on feedback and comments from participants]
Advanced Course I vastly expands into the intricacies of ICL, with 17 advanced modules covering a wide range of topics, all of which serve particular purpose within the application of ICL in different contexts. These modules encourage students to think on difficult questions, entertain divisive notions and lean into timely but uncomfortable conversations taking place in the international legal arena. How does ICL play out at the UN Security Council – and does this entity retain any of its former power? What is the ‘Specific Intent’ in the crime of genocide? Who are the protected people and prohibited weapons during armed conflicts, and are these notions still relevant today? These advanced modules provide a wide spectrum of in-depth knowledge and practical examples of the concepts introduced in the Introductory Course.
Benefit
Modules in the Advanced Course I are a continuation of the Introductory Course and will have a more practical aspect to further increase the student’s knowledge and enhance critical thinking on current ICL issues. These modules are ideal for professionals working in the international field who wish to gain a deeper understanding of a specific matter.
Registration
Although there are no prerequisites to register for Advanced Course I, and it is not mandatory to have completed the Introductory Course, Advanced Course I is designed for persons with a prior basic knowledge of ICL. We recommend certain courses before embarking on Advanced Course I – and these are listed below.
Course Content
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 1.0. History, Introduction of ICL and accountability”
Lecture 1.1. Nuremberg and Tokyo, ICTY and ICTR, Hybrid Tribunals
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 1.2. Subjects of ICL (state, individuals, corporations, other entities)
Instructor: René Provost
Lecture 1.3. Relationship between IHL and ICL
Instructor: René Provost
Lecture 1.4. The relationship between ICL, transitional justice, transnational and refugee law
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 2.0. The International Criminal Court”
Lecture 2.1. Jurisdiction and admissibility
Instructor: Timothy Radcliffe
Lecture 2.4. Victims’ Participation
Instructor: Jo-Anne Wemmers
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 3.0. Genocide”
Lecture 3.1. Protected Groups
Instructor: Payam Akhavan
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 4.0. Crimes Against Humanity”
Lecture 4.1. International Elements of Crimes Against Humanity
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 4.3. Prohibited acts, Part 1 (Persecution, Imprisonment, Forced Deportation & offences specific to Rome Statute, such as apartheid and enforced disappearance)
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 5.0. War Crimes”
Lecture 5.1. International Elements of War Crimes
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 5.5. Child Soldiers
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 8.0. Application of ICL in National Courts”
Lecture 8.1. Universal Jurisdiction: Prosecuting International Crimes in Canada
Instructor: Matt Eisenbrandt
Lecture 8.2. Territorial Jurisdiction of Domestic Prosecutions
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 8.4. Civil Liability
Instructor: François Larocque
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 9.0. Principles of Liability”
Lecture 9.1. Extended Liability Part 1 (Overview, Aiding & Abetting, and Superior Responsibility)
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Lecture 9.2. Extended liability Part 2 (Joint Criminal Enterprise, Co-Perpetration, and Inchoate Offences)
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 10.0. Defences and Immunities”
Lecture 10.2. Superior order and duress
Instructor: Joseph Rikhof
Register for Advanced Course I
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BOTH THE INTRODUCTORY COURSE AND THE ADVANCED COURSE? REGISTER FOR BOTH TODAY TO OBTAIN THE FULL ICL CERTIFICATE.
Register for the Introductory & Advanced Course I
Advanced Course II
The following 18 modules are not yet available. It is therefore not possible to register for Advanced Course II at this time.
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 2.0. The International Criminal Court”
Lecture 2.2. Proving International Crimes: Evidence
Instructor: Timothy Radcliffe
Lecture 2.3. Cooperation Issues
Instructor: Darryl Robinson
Lecture 2.5. Victims’ Reparation
Instructor: Jo-Anne Wemmers
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 3.0. Genocide”
Lecture 3.2. Specific Intent
Instructor: Payam Akhavan
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 4.0. Crimes Against Humanity”
Lecture 4.2. Prohibited acts, Part 2 (Traditional types of underlying offences)
Instructor: Linda Bianchi
Lecture 4.4. A future treaty on Crimes against humanity
Instructor: Hugo Relva
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 5.0. War Crimes”
Lecture 5.2. Protected People (Protection of Civilians & Peacekeepers)
Instructor: TBD
Lecture 5.3. Protected Property (Protection of Monuments & Cultural Property)
Instructor: TBD
Lecture 5.4. Prohibited Weapons
Instructor: René Provost
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 6.0. Aggression”
Lecture 6.1. Individual liability for a state crime
Instructor: TBD
Lecture 6.2. The International Criminal Court, Complementarity and Aggression
Instructor: TBD
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 7.0. Sexual & Gender Based Crimes in ICL”
Lecture 7.1. Sexual & Gender-based Prohibited Acts (acts considered to amount to Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity & War Crimes)
Instructor: Valerie Oosterveld
Lecture 7.2. Investigating, Documenting & Proving Gender-based Crimes
Instructor: Linda Bianchi
Lecture 7.3. Victims & Witnesses of Gender-based Crimes
Instructor: Jo-Anne Wemmers
Lecture 7.4. Protection of children
Instructor: Valerie Oosterveld
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 8.0. Application of ICL in National Courts”
Lecture 8.3. Rendition, Extradition and mutual legal assistance
Instructor: Fannie Lafontaine
Recommended Prerequisite: “Lecture 10.0. Defences and Immunities”
Lecture 10.1. Non-state parties immunity at the ICC
Instructor: TBD
Lecture 10.3. Amnesties and statutes of limitations
Instructor: Fannie Lafontaine
Should you wish to be advised when our Advanced Course in International Criminal Law becomes available, please email us at info@kirschinstitute.ca.
Any questions? Don’t hesitate to email us: info@kirschinstitute.ca