Rule on ICC judges amended

Some trials at the International Criminal Court (ICC) will now be decided by one judge instead of three after the rules of the court were amended.

In addition, the amendments allow appeals against convictions to be handled by a panel of three judges instead of five.

This is after a panel of ICC judges amended Rule 165 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence on January 10 in what they termed a move to enhance the efficiency of court proceedings.

But the changes only apply to offences against the administration of justice such as corruptly influencing witnesses, obstructing or interfering with the attendance or testimony of witnesses or interfering with the collection of evidence among others.

This means that a chamber composed of one judge shall exercise the functions and powers of the Trial Chamber, and a panel of three judges shall decide appeals.

Previously, a determination in the trial was handed down by three judges on the basis of a majority vote. But now, a judgment may be handed down by only one judge, making it trickier for the accused. Judges often disagree on the judgments and hold varying opinions on whether the suspects before them are guilty or not.

According to the new rules, the presidency of the ICC shall constitute a chamber composed of one judge to exercise the functions and powers of the Trial Chamber, and a panel of three judges to decide appeals with respect to offences defined in Article 70.

In addition, a chamber composed of one judge from the Pre-Trial Division shall exercise the functions and powers of the Pre-Trial Chamber from the moment of receipt of an application under Article 58.

The changes went into force immediately and the provisional rule will remain in force until adopted, amended or rejected by the Assembly of State Parties.

"The judges considered that these amendments would enhance the overall efficiency of proceedings," said a statement by ICC's spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah.