Our Law students recently had an opportunity to swap their lecture notes for front-row access to one of the world’s most important legal hubs – The Hague in the Netherlands.
Through DMU Global, the big institutions of international law were brought to life and showed students how justice operates beyond the classroom. Set against the reality of ongoing global issues like war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and acts of aggression, the trip offered a powerful legal and moral insight.
First stop was the International Criminal Court (ICC), where students received an engaging talk on how the ICC investigates and prosecutes the most serious international crimes. A behind-the-scenes look at the Court’s work, including discussion of recent high-profile arrest warrants, gave students a clear sense of how international law responds to events unfolding right now.
DMU Law students visiting the International Criminal Court
Next was a visit to the Peace Palace – home to the United Nations International Court of Justice and the Library of the Peace Palace, one of the most prestigious libraries in its field. Students saw where disputes between states are settled and historic legal arguments are made. The surroundings were impressive, but it was the scale and impact of the law discussed inside that really made an impression. The last of our academic visits was to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, offering insight into some of the most complex cases in modern international criminal law.
Away from the courtroom drama, our students explored the lighter side of The Hague – charming streets full of cafés, shops and cultural landmarks. Some visited the Mauritshuis to see Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, or tested their powers of perception at the Escher Museum. Others explored the creepier Prison Gate Museum – one of the oldest former prisons in the Netherlands, while a few hopped over to Amsterdam or Rotterdam to enjoy canals, culture and a stroopwafel or two.
This was far more than a sightseeing trip; it was a challenging learning experience and an unforgettable adventure. The Hague left our future legal professionals better informed, more confident and ready to engage with the realities of international justice.