Legal Skills in a Time of War

Legal Skills in a Time of War

FREE SUMMER SCHOOL FOR UKRAINIAN LAW STUDENTS AND JUNIOR LAWYERS

4 – 15 July 2022, Villa Grebovka, Prague (arrivals: July 3rd, departures: July 16th)

2-week in-person course

The CEELI Institute, an NGO based in Prague that provides training and education for legal professionals, is offering a two-week summer school for Ukrainian law students and junior lawyers, both those who have left Ukraine for other parts of Europe and those still in the country.

The summer school’s aim is twofold. First, it seeks to provide Ukrainian law students and early career lawyers with a better understanding of the main conceptual underpinnings of international criminal law and its place in the fragmented field of international law and justice. Second, it is designed to equip the participants with basic legal skills not learned in doctrinal classes, such as interviewing clients, analyzing the case, examining witnesses, and arguing before the court, as well as skills needed for working with traumatized clients, witnesses, and others. The course will consist of both lectures and workshops in which participants will practice new skills by playing various roles including client, lawyer, and judge.

REGISTRATION & PARTICIPANTS

To apply, please complete this digital application form by 9:00 am CEST on 6 June 2022. Enrollment is limited to 24 participants. All applications will be reviewed and participants will be selected based on their answers to the application form.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Develop necessary skills to effectively interview clients and witnesses, including victims of trauma;
• Learn client-centered counseling, including understanding of cultural considerations;
• Develop presentation skills that enable the lawyer to tell the client’s story and to obtain a successful outcome, with a focus on witness examination techniques and persuasive -communication;
• Understand general principles of international law, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law;
• Understand general principles of international criminal law, including distinguishing among genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, as well as appreciating differences between domestic and international tribunals;
• Understand tensions between peace and justice for international crimes;
• Assess and analyze ongoing cases in Ukraine.

CONFIRMED FACULTY

• Sidney Brooks, Judge (1988–2016), United States Bankruptcy Court (USA)
• Julia Fromholz, Executive Director, CEELI Institute; former Professor of Practice and Director of the International Rule of Law and Security program, Arizona State University   Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
• Tamás Lattmann, Associate Professor, University of New York in Prague (Czech Republic)
• Marcia Levy, Associate Clinical Professor and Director of Legal Residency, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law (USA)
• Andres Parmas, Prosecutor General (Estonia); Lecturer of Criminal Law, University of Tartu; Judge, Kosovo Specialist Chambers (2017–2020)
• Keith Raynor, Crown Court Judge (UK); Kosovo Specialist Chambers (2017–2020); Prosecutor, Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (2012-2014)
• Judith Ritter, Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic, Widener University Delaware Law School (USA)
• Kateryna Shyroka, High Anti-Corruption Court Judge (Ukraine)
• Mariia Tsypiashchuk, Lecturer in Law and Head of the Legal Clinic, National University of Ostroh Academy (Ukraine)

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Legal Skills

1. Interviewing and client centered counseling
2. Case analysis
3. Witness examination techniques
4. Persuasive speaking in court
5. Trauma-informed lawyering

Module 2: Contours of International Law and Justice

1. How International law and justice works?
2. Jus ad bellum and Jus in bello
3. ICJ and its jurisdiction
4. International human rights law and the ECtHR

Module 3: International Criminal Law

1. History and concept of international criminal law
2. War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression
3. International and internationalized criminal courts
4. International criminal law and world politics