International Criminal Court Summer School

The 26th annual Summer School on the International Criminal Court, hosted online by the Irish Centre for Human Rights, will take place from 8-11 June 2026. This is the premier summer school specialising on the International Criminal Court. Participants follow a series of lectures given by leading academics, as well as by legal professionals, including those working at the International Criminal Court. The interactive and stimulating course is particularly suited to postgraduate students, legal professionals, scholars and those working for non-governmental and intergovernmental organisation. Participants will gain knowledge of the Court’s structures and operations, its jurisdiction and applicable laws. Lectures will address the core crimes, including of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression, the exercise of the Court’s jurisdiction, defences, procedure and evidence and the participation of victims in proceedings.

This year’s Summer School on the International Criminal Court will take place online. The programme for the Summer School will be confirmed shortly.

Click here to register now.

For updates, follow us on Bluesky @iccsummerschool.bsky.social

Megan Fairlie Scholarships for the Summer School on the International Criminal Court

The Irish Centre for Human Rights is pleased to offer the Megan Fairlie Scholarships for the Summer School on the International Criminal Court taking place online from 8-11 June 2026. Megan was a long-serving contributor to the Summer School and a regular speaker at the event over many years. The scholarships are in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the field. 

The scholarships are aimed at supporting participation in the Summer School on the International Criminal Court, particularly by postgraduate students and practitioners from the Global South.

Applications for the scholarship will open shortly.

If you have any further queries, please contact us at humanrights@universityofgalway.ie

Testimonials

Judge Silvia Fernandez di Gurmendi

President of the International Criminal Court (2015-2018), President of the Assembly of States Parties (2021-2023), and keynote speaker at the 2025 Summer School on the International Criminal Court

“The Summer School on the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the University of Galway has established itself as the leading course for individuals engaged in work or study related to this significant international institution. By assembling international judges, practitioners, and experts, the Summer School provides a rich platform for debate and the exchange of ideas among professionals active in the field.

Having been founded nearly alongside the ICC itself, the Summer School has mirrored the establishment and evolution of the Court. Throughout its existence, it has played a vital role in supporting the ICC’s growth, providing a forum for discussion and learning almost since the Court's inception. Many officials and staff members of the ICC, as well as those involved in ICC-related matters, have had the invaluable opportunity to interact with students from around the world within this programme. This has fostered a dynamic environment where the work and challenges of the Court are explored and debated in depth. The course significantly raises awareness and deepens understanding of the ICC’s work, as well as the broader challenges facing international criminal justice.”