Ninth ECCC Plenary Session Concludes

The Ninth Session of the ECCC Plenary concluded today having met from Monday 21 to 23 February 2011. The Plenary considered proposals to amend its Internal Rules in order to promote efficient trial management and more expeditious trial proceedings.

By the close of Plenary, five proposed amendments to the Internal Rules were adopted, a number of which related to the Trial Chamber. These included adapting the rule on admissibility of an application on the disqualification of a Trial Chamber Judge. Further rule amendments were approved regarding the ability of an accused to attend before the Chamber in person and the continuation of trial proceedings in the interests of justice. One of the provisions allows that where due to ill health or other serious concerns, an accused cannot attend the Chamber, the Chamber may continue proceedings in the absence of the Accused with his or her consent, or where the absence causes substantial delay to proceedings and the interests of justice so require, order the Accused’s participation by audio-visual means.  

A new provision was adopted allowing the Trial Chamber when required in the interests of justice, to order the separation of proceedings, and the separation of charges, in relation to one or more accused.

The Plenary adopted an amendment allowing the Office of Administration to designate a lawyer where both Civil Party Lead Co-Lawyers are temporarily unable to carry out their functions.

The next session of the Plenary is expected to be held within the next six months.

The Ninth Session of the ECCC Plenary concluded today having met from Monday 21 to 23 February 2011. The Plenary considered proposals to amend its Internal Rules in order to promote efficient trial management and more expeditious trial proceedings.

By the close of Plenary, five proposed amendments to the Internal Rules were adopted, a number of which related to the Trial Chamber. These included adapting the rule on admissibility of an application on the disqualification of a Trial Chamber Judge. Further rule amendments were approved regarding the ability of an accused to attend before the Chamber in person and the continuation of trial proceedings in the interests of justice. One of the provisions allows that where due to ill health or other serious concerns, an accused cannot attend the Chamber, the Chamber may continue proceedings in the absence of the Accused with his or her consent, or where the absence causes substantial delay to proceedings and the interests of justice so require, order the Accused’s participation by audio-visual means.  

A new provision was adopted allowing the Trial Chamber when required in the interests of justice, to order the separation of proceedings, and the separation of charges, in relation to one or more accused.

The Plenary adopted an amendment allowing the Office of Administration to designate a lawyer where both Civil Party Lead Co-Lawyers are temporarily unable to carry out their functions.

The next session of the Plenary is expected to be held within the next six months.
 

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