Mechanism Judges conclude remote plenary and adopt disciplinary mechanism for Judges

On 9 April 2018, the Judges of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) concluded a plenary conducted by remote written procedure, during which the Judges addressed issues pertaining to the diverse approaches of civil and common law systems and adopted amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, to be published shortly.

During the plenary, the Judges also adopted a revision to the Code of Professional Conduct for the Judges of the Mechanism, adding a disciplinary mechanism for the Judges of the Mechanism. Judge Theodor Meron, President of the Mechanism, stated: “With the adoption of this disciplinary mechanism, I consider that the Judges have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring that the Mechanism is at the forefront of evolving international best practice in relation to judicial accountability.”

This was the fourth plenary held by the Judges since the Mechanism’s inception and the third plenary to have taken place by remote written procedure.

The Mechanism has a roster of 25 Judges, who serve when called upon to do so by the Mechanism President and are expected to exercise their functions remotely insofar as possible, unless required to be present at the seat of one of the two branches.