Today, 25 March 2022, the fifth edition of the Chambers Practice Manual of judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was issued in both English and French.
The Chambers Practice Manual has been revised to significantly advance the efficiency and consistency of ICC proceedings in three different areas.
First, a new section on the transmission of the record of the proceedings has been introduced aimed at facilitating a prompter transmission of the record of the proceedings from the Pre-Trial Chamber to the Presidency, and onward to the Trial Chamber, once composed. This addition facilitates trial preparations and implements recommendation 199 of the report of the independent expert review established by the ICC Assembly of States Parties.
Second, the judges of the Court adopted a model for the decision on Directions for the Conduct of Proceedings, to be annexed to the Chambers Practice Manual as an internal document of Chambers. The model covers issues such as opening of the trial, order of evidence, matters relating to witness testimony and protective measures and includes an agreed single evidentiary system (submission system) for documentary, digital and physical evidence. The use of the model will significantly advance the efficiency, consistency and predictability of trial proceedings.
Finally, the Chambers Practice Manual has been revised to reflect updated practice on the procedure for the admission of victims’ applications to participate in proceedings at all stages. Chambers may adopt the so called “A-B-C Approach” under which the Registry classifies the applicants into three categories: (i) applicants who clearly qualify as victims (Group A), (ii) applicants who clearly do not qualify as victims (Group B); and (iii) applicants for whom the Registry could not make a clear determination for any reason (Group C). This approach has been adopted by a number of Chambers in recent cases and was determined by the Appeals Chamber to be in conformity with the Court’s legal framework. Inclusion of this practice in the Chambers Practice Manual will further enhance consistency and efficiency, noting the vital and unique role of victims in proceedings at the ICC.
The fifth revision of the Chambers Practice Manual is the result of collective discussions held at the Judges’ retreat in November 2021. The regular revision and update of the Chambers Practice Manual is part of the judges efforts to continuously improve their internal practices and the efficiency and transparency of ICC proceedings.
25 March 2022 – Chambers Practice Manual