On 22 to 24 September 2026, the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") held a Training for Counsel with the participation of over 100 lawyers including 50 online participants, including counsel registered on the ICC List of Counsel, list of assistants to counsel and members of the legal teams currently active before the Court. The training was organised with funding from the European Union and took place both at the seat of the Court, in The Hague, The Netherlands, and online.
The Director of the Division of Judicial Services, Marc Dubuisson, welcomed the participants to the Training for Counsel. Marc Dubuisson noted: "The ICC Training for Counsel offered a programme that combines substantive discussions on issues highly relevant for the ICC legal profession as well as practical, interactive training. Through those exchanges, the Registry reaffirms its commitment to providing a forum where legal professionals can strengthen their expertise and address shared challenges. Investing in the skills and independence of Counsel strengthen fair proceedings and the credibility of international justice. This commitment remains essential as the Court navigates an increasingly challenging environment."
The sessions provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of several key topics, including representation by Counsel pursuant to article 55 of the Rome Statute, namely the representation of any person during an ICC investigation, practical guidance and best practices for Counsel operating in countries under investigation, examination in chief and cross-examination techniques, witness demeanour and memory, victims' representation, disciplinary mechanisms and proceedings, the use of AI tools, and information security, data protection, confidentiality and cybersecurity. Participants also took part in interactive sessions on cross-examination and received an overview of services available to Counsel, including those provided by the Court's Counsel Support Section, the ICC Bar Association, the Office of Public Counsel for the Defence and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims.
ICC seminars and trainings for lawyers registered on the ICC lists have been an annual activity of the Court since 2004, providing a unique platform to celebrate the contribution of Counsel to the Court's mandate and to engage in mutually beneficial dialogue with the legal profession.
More information on Counsels at the ICC can be found here.
More information on the International Criminal Court Bar Association can be found here.
