Amendments to the Rules of the STL

At a Plenary meeting, the Judges of the STL have approved some amendments to the Tribunal's Rules of Procedure and Evidence which clarify and improve the existing rules.                 

While several amendments are minor and technical in nature, the following is a summary of the most significant changes adopted.

- Rule 7 – Deadlines will now be counted as calendar days and not working days.

- Rule 36 – This amendment assigns more powers to a single Judge of a Chamber (the Judge Rapporteur) in order to speed up proceedings.

- Rules 60bis and 152 – Cases of contempt and false testimony will be heard by a single Judge, with the aim of simplifying and speeding up such proceedings.

- Rule 89(E) The amendment allows the Pre-Trial Judge to refer any matter to the Trial Chamber that he considers should be adjudicated before the formal transmission of the case file.  As a result, the Trial Chamber will be able to consider such matters before the start of trial.

- Rule 70 – This amendment is aimed at streamlining the disposal of cases in case of joinder. When two or more cases are joined into one, the Trial Chamber already seized of one of them may assume some of the powers of the Pre-trial judge. This will expedite proceedings in case of joinder and prevent litigation on the most appropriate forum.                  

The amended Rules shall enter into force on 6 March 2013 and will become available on the STL website.