Internal Rule 23 ter

<p><strong>Rule 23 ter</strong></p><p><em>Representation of Civil Parties (Adopted on 9 February 2010 and amended on 17 September 2010)</em> <br><br>1. From the issuance of the Closing Order onwards, in order to participat e in proceedings, Civil Parties shall at all times be represented by a Civil Party lawyer. As soon as practicable but at the latest by the issuance of the Closing Order, th e Co-Investigating Judges shall make appropriate orders for this purpose. Where representation ceas es, and the Civil Party wishes to continue participation in proceedings, the Civil Party shal l engage alternative counsel. Where necessary, the relevant judicial body of th e ECCC may direct the Ci vil Party to join an existing Civil Party group. <br><br>2. When the Civil Party is represented by a lawyer, his or her rights are exercised through the lawyer. This sub-rule does not apply where the Ci vil Party is interviewed under Rule 59 and Rule 91(1). <br><br>3. Civil Parties may form groups and choose to be represented by a common lawyer drawn from the list held by the Victims Support Section. In addition, the Co-Investigating Judges or the Chambers may organize such common representation, as follows: <br><br>a) Where the interests of justice so require , the Co-Investigating Judges may require Civil Parties to form a group and to choose a common lawyer within a set time limit; <br><br>b) Where the interests of justice so require, the Co-Investigati ng Judges or the Chambers may group Civil Parties or assign them to existin g groups and/or, after consulting the Victims Support Section, designate a common lawyer for such groups; <br><br>c) The Co-Investigating judges or the Chambers and the Victims Support Section shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that in the selec tion of common lawyers, th e distinct interests of each of the Civil Parties are represented and that any conflict of interest is avoided; <br><br>d) At any time, the Civil Parties may, by reason ed application, request the Co-Investigating judges or the Chambers to reconsider th eir designation of their lawyer by the Co- Investigating judges or the Chambers; and <br><br>e) Civil parties who lack the n ecessary means to pay for a co mmon lawyer designated by the Co-Investigating Judges or the Chambers ma y seek assistance from the Office of Administration.</p>