| Press Release |
REGISTRY
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| (Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document) |
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The Hague, 6 September 2001
CC/ P.I.S./ 617-e
Milosevic case: The Registrar appoints a Team of Experienced
International Lawyers as Amicus Curiae to assist the Trial Chamber.
Today, Thursday 6 September 2001, the Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Mr. Hans Holthuis, appointed Mr. Steven Kay QC, Mr. Branislav Tapuskovic and Prof. Mischa Wladimiroff to act as amicus curiae in the case The Prosecutor v. Slobodan Milosevic, pursuant to Rule 74 of the Tribunal’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
The Registrar’s Decision follows an order issued by Trial Chamber III on 30 August 2001, which stated that the appointment of amicus curiae was "not to represent the accused but to assist in the proper determination of the case". The order further stated that the amicus curiae would assist the Trial Chamber by:
"(a) making any submissions properly open to the accused by way of preliminary or other pre-trial motion;
(b) making any submissions or objections to evidence properly open to the accused during the trial proceedings and cross-examining witnesses as appropriate;
(c) drawing to the attention of the Trial Chamber any exculpatory or mitigating evidence; and
(d) acting in any other way which designated counsel considers appropriate in order to secure a fair trial".
The Decision points out that the amicus curiae will be bound by the provisions of the Code of Professional Conduct for Defence Counsel Appearing before the International Tribunal.
The Registrar’s Decision is also based on the consideration that the interest of justice would be best served by the appointment of an international team of experienced lawyers representing a constellation of legal backgrounds.
Please note that biographies of Mr. Steven Kay QC, Mr. Branislav Tapuskovic and Prof. Mischa Wladimiroff are available from the Public Information Services upon request.
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International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
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