MORNING SESSION - Plenary

In the morning delegates expressed their views on organizational questions;

Presidency (article 8)

- has too much power/competence too broad (Russian Federation, Singapore)

Judges (article 10, 11)

- selection of judges should in the first place be based on their

qualities; no affirmative action non a quota for female judges (Norway,

Japan)

- sholud represent all major legal systems, cultures and regions of the

world (Japan)

- terms of disqualification/exclusion from office need more elaboration

(Japan, Australia)

- possibility of appointing judges from non-state parties (USA)

- judges Appeal Chamber to be elected by judges, rather then by the

Presidency (Singapore)

- Should be free to take our positions if no conflict (USA, China) / should

be limited on holding other positions (Singapore)

Prosecutor (article 12)

- shold be highly competent and have experience in investigating criminal

cases (UK, Italy)

- to have a fixed term of appointment (Italy)

- should be independent and impartial (UK) and internally independent from

the judges (Italy)

- to be elected by Judges (Australia); the election process needs furher

eleboration (Japan)

- to be appointed for a longer than five-year term, but non re-election

possibility (Italy)

The term "procuracy" was to be replaced by "prosecutor's office" (UK, Trinidad and Tobago)

Registry (article 13)

- should be subject to control by oversight committee on

financial/administrative issues (USA)

Rules to be amended to bring them in line with ICTFY Statute (Japan)

After the plenary, the Working Group on International Cooperation and Judicial Assistance met.