In the Courtroom

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Judges (Presidency and Judicial Divisions)

The ICC's 18 judges are elected by the Assembly of States Parties for their qualifications, impartiality and integrity, and serve 9-year, non-renewable terms. They ensure fair trials and render decisions, but also issue arrest warrants or summonses to appear, authorize victims to participate, order witness protection measures, and more. They also elect, from among themselves, the ICC President and two Vice-Presidents, who head the Court.

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Presidency Judicial Divisions

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Office of the Prosecutor

Office of the Prosecutor

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) is an independent organ of the Court. It is responsible for examining situations under the jurisdiction of the Court where genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression appear to have been committed, and carrying out investigations and prosecutions against the individuals who are allegedly most responsible for those crimes.

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Defence

A strong defence is a key component of a fair trial. The Defence teams represent and protect the rights of the defendant (suspect and accused).

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty after a trial; they are entitled to public, fair proceedings conducted impartially and in full equality.

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Victims

Victims are those who have suffered harm as a result of the commission of any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court.

Relevant Court staff are trained to work with victims and address their specific needs, particularly children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and victims of sexual or gender violence.

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Witnesses

ICC staff offer various means of practical support to witnesses, from setting up video link services to witnesses can testify from home, to obtaining visas so they can travel to the seat of the Court in The Hague, the Netherlands.

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Registry

The Registry is a neutral organ of the Court that provides services to all other organs so the ICC can function and conduct fair and effective public proceedings.

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