(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 12, 2009 ) The Hague - Today, in a closed plenary session, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) elected Judge Sang-hyun Song (Republic of Korea) President of the Court. Judge Fatoumata Dembele Diarra (Mali) was elected First Vice-President and Judge Hans-Peter Kaul (Germany) Second Vice-President. All three were elected by an absolute majority for a term of three years.

As provided in article 38 of the Rome Statute, the First Vice-President shall act in place of the President in the event that the President is unavailable or disqualified. The Second Vice-President shall act in place of the President in the event that both the President and the First Vice-President are unavailable or disqualified.

The Presidency is responsible for the proper administration of the Court, with the exception of issues concerning the Office of the Prosecutor. It oversees the activities of the Registry and ensures that it delivers effective service to the judiciary. It also provides input into a broad range of administrative policies and issues presidential directives on matters relevant to the Court’s overall functioning. The Presidency further organises the Chambers’ judicial work and carries out functions pursuant to the Rome Statute, Rules of Procedure and Evidence, and Regulations of the Court. The Presidency further has responsibilities in the area of external relations, such as the negotiation and the conclusion of agreements on behalf of the Court and the promotion of public awareness and understanding of the institution.


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For further information please contact Ms Laurence Blairon, Spokesperson, at +31 (0)70 515 87 14 or +31 (0) 6 46 44 88 89 or at laurence.blairon@icc-cpi.int

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The International Criminal Court (ICC)
Ms Laurence Blairon
Tel: +31 (0)70 515 87 14
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