General information about List Counsel at the ICC and application

Requirements

• Established competence in international or criminal law and procedure
• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in criminal proceedings, whether as a judgFe, prosecutor, advocate or in another similar capacity
• Excellent knowledge of and fluency in at least one of the working languages of the Court, English or French
• Counsel should not have been convicted of a serious criminal or disciplinary offence considered to be incompatible with the nature of the office.
• Suitable candidates wishing to be included in the ICC List of Assistants to Counsel must possess five (5) years of relevant experience in criminal proceedings, or specific competence in international or criminal law and procedure.

Remuneration

The ICC is aware that the complexity and length of the proceedings before the Court usually involve rather high costs of legal representation. Article 67.1(d) of the Rome Statute ensures that accused persons who lack 'sufficient means' have their legal assistance paid by the Court (either fully or partially depending on their financial circumstances). Sufficiently similar guarantees are extended to indigent victims participating in proceedings before the Court (Rule 90.5 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence).

Under the Court’s legal aid system, counsel and other members of their legal team are more than adequately reimbursed and are also provided with budgets for investigations; reimbursement for travel to and from The Hague for counsel and associate counsel and related subsistence daily allowance.

© ICC-CPI

Training and Support

The ICC is committed to facilitating ongoing training and support for counsel. As such, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 121.2 of the Regulations of the Registry, the Registrar organises an annual Seminar of Counsel during which counsel benefit from presentations and discussion from experts in international justice, court officials and their peers.

List Counsel also benefit from the guidance and support of the Offices of Public Counsel for the Defence (OPCD) and Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV). The tasks of the OPCD include providing support and assistance to Defence Counsel and to persons entitled to legal assistance, such as by providing legal advice, research and assistance on legal issues of relevance to all teams. Similarly the OPCV’s tasks include providing support and assistance to victims and legal representatives in the areas of legal research and advice and in appearing before a Chamber in respect of specific issues.

Applying

Required documents

NB Candidates seeking to be admitted to the List of Counsel must provide all of the required documents as below for their applications to be considered complete. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Fully completed applications together with all supporting documents will be processed without delay by the Court. All applications are immediately acknowledged and completed applications are processed within a minimum of two months from the date of receipt.

• Candidate application form

• Certificate of good standing

• Original or certified copy of registration with governing body

• Certificate issued by the relevant authority of each State of which the person is a national or where the person is domiciled stating the existence, if any, of criminal convictions

• Detailed curriculum vitae, allowing for appraisal of the candidate’s competence and experience

• Valid copy of professional insurance policy

• Legible copy of birth certificate

• Legible copy of identity card

• Legible copy of passport/travel document

• Two passport size photographs