Registry consultations with associations and members of the legal profession and the training of counsel

Consultations with associations and members of the legal profession

Rule 20(3) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence stipulates that the Registrar shall consult, as appropriate, with any independent representative body of counsel or legal associations, including any such body the establishment of which may be facilitated by the Assembly of States Parties for the purposes of developing a Code of professional Conduct for counsel and to manage the legal assistance system.

In accordance with this provision, as soon as work began on developing the Code, and on the Court-subsidized legal assistance system, the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC) conducted open, frank and transparent consultations with those legal associations or bars which had shown a keen interest in cooperating with the ICC on all issues pertaining to the work of counsel before the Court. The experience proved to be so positive that, when the Regulations of the Registry were being drafted, the Registrar decided to make official provision for such consultations in regulations 119(1)(b), 120 and 121 of said Regulations.

These consultations, conducted in good faith, include for example (i) annual seminars organised by the Registry which are attended by experts from international or national organisations and institutions; representatives of associations and NGOs with whom the Registrar cooperates, and, since 2006, by counsel on the List of counsel; (ii) participation by Registry staff in activities organised by legal professional associations and (iii) bilateral and multilateral meetings on specific issues.

The consultations involve concentrated periods of intellectual reflection and discussion on subjects relating, inter alia, to important aspects of the work of counsel before the ICC. Not only do they offer a genuine contribution in terms of cooperation between the Court and members of the legal profession, but they also enable the Registry to collate observations, proposals, opinions and constructive criticism with a view, as appropriate, to finalising the relevant texts under discussion, adjusting its strategic goals, and so on.

The Registrar of the ICC is determined to support and constantly strengthen efforts to ensure that consultations provide an important framework for dialogue and fruitful exchanges between the Registry and relevant partners.

Training of counsel

Under regulation 140 of the Regulations of the Registry, the Registrar plays a part in training counsel, inter alia by allowing access to information on the activities and case law of the ICC and by providing training personnel with training in the law and in proceedings before the Court. Training initiatives by the Registry aim to foster knowledge of the law of the Rome Statute and of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, and also to promote the specialisation of lawyers in the law of the Court, as enshrined in its relevant legal texts.

In accordance with the Regulations of the Registry, the Registrar of the ICC has organised training for counsel at the seat of the Court as well as at national level, in cooperation with national legal professional associations and organisations. Training has covered various topics, including the law and procedures applicable before the Court, the rights of the defence, the legal regime for victim participation in proceedings before the Court, practical aspects of the work of counsel before the Court, the Court’s organisation chart, and so on.