An Introduction To The International Criminal Court - Institute for ...

structure and administration of the court 183
was chosen in June 2003 as the Court’s first Registrar. If required, the judges
may also elect a Deputy Registrar to a five-year term or to such shorter term
as they may decide.
The Registrar’s staff is to demonstrate experience with various judicial
systems, in addition to geographic representativity and gender balance.
The Statute specifically provides for the use of ‘gratis personnel’ offered
by States parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations
to assist with the work of any of the organs of the Court. Gratis personnel
are to be employed only ‘in exceptional circumstances’. 24
Ethical matters
Judges, Prosecutor, Deputy Prosecutors, Registrar and Deputy Registrar are
all required to make a solemn undertaking in open court to exercise their
functions impartially and conscientiously. 25 Any of them may be removed
from office on grounds of serious misconduct, a serious breach of duties,
or inability to exercise the functions required by the Statute. In the event of
misconduct of a less serious nature, disciplinary measures may be imposed. 26
RemovalistheresultofadecisiontakenbytheAssemblyofStatesParties. 27
Removal of a judge first requires a recommendation to this effect by a twothirds
majority of the other judges. Then, a two-thirds majority of the States
parties must agree. The Prosecutor is more vulnerable, and can be removed
by a majority of the States parties. The Deputy Prosecutor’s removal must
be recommended by the Prosecutor and then authorised by a majority of
the States parties. The Registrar and Deputy Registrar may be removed by a
majority of the judges. 28
Salaries of the Judges, the Prosecutor and Deputy Prosecutors, and the
Registrar and Deputy Registrar, are set by the Assembly of States Parties and
may not be reduced during their terms of office. 29
Defence bar
The Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence establish norms that
apply to defence counsel, including a Code of Professional Conduct for
24 Ibid., Art. 44(4). 25 Ibid., Art. 45. 26 Ibid., Art. 47. 27 Ibid., Art. 46.
28 On removal and related matters, see Rules of Procedure and Evidence, Rules 23–39.
29 Rome Statute, Art. 49.