On May18th, together with the Barcelona Bar Association Commission of International Criminal Law, the International Criminal Bar (ICB) participated in a seminar for practising lawyers at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The seminar was introduced by Mr. Gilbert Bitti, Senior Legal Advisor of the Pre-Trial Division, who explained the structure and mandate of the ICC, as well as important challenges for both the Court and its practising lawyers, and considering both general trends and individual cases.
His presentation and turn for questions was followed by the intervention of Ms. Meritxell Regue Blasi, Prosecutor of the Appeals Chamber of the ICC. Ms. Regue explained the mandate and daily tasks of the Appeals Chamber and prosecutors of the Court, and also analysed important issues that involve the prosecution of alleged perpetrators of international crimes, especially in Africa and Latin America.
Finally, Mr. Esteban Peralta Losilla, Chief of the Counsel Support Section of the ICC, provided crucial insights regarding the practise of defense lawyers in the ICC, the procedure to be admitted in the list of counsel, and described legal challenges in particular cases and in the application of the norms of the Court.
The ICB’s Secretary General and Vice-President of the Commission of International Criminal Law of the Barcelona Bar, Ms. Erika Torregrossa, concluded the event and thanked all participants and facilitators to this meaningful seminar. The delegation of the ICB also enjoyed lunching together with the jurists and professionals of the Court, and the opportunity to have an informal meeting with other senior staff of the ICC.
Article by: Roger Lloret Blackburn