The International Criminal Bar held its general assembly in Barcelona in January. Members from around the globe were in attendance either as individuals or as representatives of member counsel and bar associations. I was there as the representative of the Canadian Bar Association on the council of the ICB, which I’ve done for the past two years. Elections for the governing council were conducted and the new council then chose from its members an executive committee of seven members. Once constituted, the executive committee met and selected its officers. I was elected as co-president, together with David Levy who represents the National Council of the Bars of France. Three vice-presidents were selected, one from the United States, one from Costa Rica, another from Nigeria. Our treasurer is from Spain where our secretariat has been located for the past four years and will remain for at least the next two. The secretary general, from Switzerland, has been in the office for the past two years and will continue in that position.
The first day of the general assembly provided members an opportunity to hear a presentation from Herman von Hebel, the current Registrar of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Two years into his five-year mandate, von Hebel is engaged in a fairly significant reorganization of the service delivery affecting counsel representing accused and victims before the court. He calls this his ”Re-Vision” Project. Although the initial service delivery arrangement was not without its detractors, the changes proposed in the Re-Vision Project have caused further controversy amongst lawyers, especially those currently practising before the court.
As part of his presentation, von Hebel expressed very clearly that it is his view that there is need for an independent bar association for counsel acting on behalf of accused persons and victims before the ICC. He expressed his view that while such a bar must be created by counsel and not by his office, the bar must be supported by the Assembly of States Parties. He believes that the office of the Registrar has a role to play in the creation of such a bar as a facilitator.
The ICB has been working, since its inception in 2002, toward the establishment of just such a self-governing and independent bar association, so the registrar’s attendance and presentation in Barcelona was seen as a significant step forward. It is the first time that I am aware of a registrar of the ICC effectively and openly agreeing with the ultimate mission of the ICB.
Von Hebel invited the ICB and other associations of counsel working toward a similar mission to meet in The Hague in March to further discuss the matter. The ICB was working with other groups of counsel to produce a statutory framework for the proposed bar.
About the Author
Roxanne P. Helme, Q.C., is the Criminal Justice Section representative elected to the governing council of the International Criminal Bar.