INTERNSHIPS, MOOTS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Jean-Pictet on Competition Humanitarian Law

Jean-Pictet Competition on International Humanitarian Law

The Jean-Pictet Competition is hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross. It is a unique opportunity to gain in-depth and hands-on knowledge of international humanitarian law while at the same time meeting students from around the world.

For detailed information, see:

http://www.concourspictet.org/index_en.htm; and

http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/iwpList572/4D33FC7B726088B4C1256B6600593FDD

Pictet Facts

Focus area: International Humanitarian Law

Organizers: International Committee of the Red Cross

Offical webpage: http://www.concourspictet.org/index_en.htm

Format: The Pictet moot is in essence a prepared debate. Teams argue on the basis of a case study that is made available prior to the competition, although additional factual and legal elements are added during the competition. The competition takes place in separate segments for francophone, anglophones and spanophone teams. The best teams (number at the discretion of the organizers) then advance to an intercessional final, from which one team emerges as the overall winner.

Registration: Teams must apply for selection by mid-December. Selections are made by mid-January, at which time the team secures its place through payment of application fee.

Submission of briefs: no briefs. Teams have to answer substantive questions in International Humanitarian Law at the stage of application to the competition.

Qualifying Round: none for NYU

Final Round: early April/ midApril

Prizes: Jean-Pictet Award (winning team); Gilbert Apollis Award (Best debaters in each session).

Other information: Three member teams. Particpation of persons above the age of 30 years, with expertise in international humanitarian law may be refused by the organizers. Teams are given training materials prior to the competition.

Selection of the NYU Team

The 3-member NYU Team is selected through a process, usually in October of each year, which is overseen by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice. All NYU law students are eligible to apply. Applications of interested students are reviewed by selected members of the law school’s faculty who determine a short list of finalists. This group is interviewed by former Pictet participants who select the NYU Team. Membership on the NYU Team does not guarantee admission to the Competition. NYU Team members are responsible for applying to the Competition, and, if accepted, to apply for funding (potentially available from the Hauser Program) and prepare for the Competition.

NYU team for the 2009 competition

Christen Broecker is a 2005 honors graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her JD degree from NYU in 2008 and is a candidate for an LL.M. in International Studies from NYU in 2009. She is an IILJ Scholar and also the recipient of an International Law and Human Rights Student Fellowship, through which she interned at the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Benjamin Brod is a third year law student at NYU and a 2004 graduate of Duke University. Before coming to NYU, he worked in France teaching English and at law firms in New York and Paris.

Sanja Popovic, a native of the former Yugoslavia and a Canadian citizen, received her undergraduate degree and a bachelor of laws degree from the University of Windsor (Canada) in 2006 and 2007 respectively. She is a candidate for an LL.M. in International Legal Students at NYU in 2009. Prior to coming to NYU, she interned at the ICTY where she worked on the trial of Slobodan Milosevic.

 

NYU team for the 2008 competition

The NYU Team that will seek to participate in the 20th Edition of the Competition, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from April 19 to 26, 2008, is:

Amélie Baudot, a French and American dual-national, is a third-year JD student with a strong interest in International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, and United Nations Law. She has an undergraduate degree in International Relations and Economics from Connecticut College and a Master's Degree in International Relations from the Institut universitaire de hautes études internationals (HEI) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Rebecca Jenkin is an Australian LL.M. candidate, undertaking studies in international law, criminal law and legal theory. She obtained her LLB (1st class honors) and her BA from the Australian National University. Rebecca has previously worked as a clerk to Justice Weinberg on the Federal Court of Australia, and as a clerk to Judges Keith and Skotnikov at the International Court of Justice.

Zoe Salzman, a native of Canada, received her JD degree from NYU in 2007 and is a candidate for an LL.M. in International Legal Studies. She received her undergraduate degree (with great distinction) from Concordia University in Montreal. Her research interests focus on international humanitarian and human rights law, particularly on the use of force by non-state actors, peace agreements, and private military companies.

 

NYU team for the 2007 competition

The NYU Team was accepted to participate in the 19th edition of the Competition which took place in El Escorial, Spain, in April 2007. The team members are:

Naomi Burke is a candidate for an LL.M at NYU School of Law in International Legal Studies. She holds an undergraduate degree in Law and French from Trinity College Dublin and a master’s degree in Political Science from IEP Paris. She is also a member of the New York Bar and has interned at the ICJ and the European Commission.

Tiasha Palikovic is a third year law student at NYU School of Law. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

Junko Tadaki is a candidate for an LL.M. in International Legal Studies. Originally from Japan, she holds a law degree from Monash University. She practiced law in Australia and interned at the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Tokyo before coming to NYU.

For more information about the Jean-Pictet selection process of the NYU Team for the Jean-Pictet Competition, please contact:

Patricia Armstrong
Center for Human Rights and Global Justice
New York University School of Law
110 West Third Street, Room 204
New York NY 10012
Tel: (+1-212) 998-6280 
Fax: (+1-212) 995-4600 
Email: tish.armstrong@nyu.edu