Main description:

This book is a practical guide for advocates interested in the representation of victims before the International Criminal Court (ICC). It has been developed by experts responsible for the advocacy training of the International Criminal Court's List of Counsel members. Written in a readily accessible style, this guide provides a firm grounding in relevant legal doctrine, essential advocacy techniques and valuable multidisciplinary perspectives. Drawing upon global expertise from legal practitioners, specialist advocacy trainers and multi-disciplinary writers, this book addresses both practical considerations and key challenges faced by ICC victim advocates. These include issues such as gender, child victims, victims of sexual violence, special need victims and victims who are themselves implicated in international crimes. Through its practical focus on advocacy techniques, hypothetical case studies, checklists, interviews from the field and lists of further resources, this manual equips readers with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in sophisticated ICC victim advocacy. This book will also appeal to those interested in the workings of International Criminal Law and in victim advocacy and victimology more broadly.

Contents:

Part I - Introduction of Legal Doctrine: The Modalities of Victim Participation (Solange Mouthaan).- A Brief Overview of the Crimes Prosecuted by the ICC, Defences to These Crimes, and the Scope of Liability for These Crimes (Sam Garkawe).- Part II - Essential Advocacy Techniques; Advocacy Skills for the Victim Advocate: Understanding your Role and Responsibilities as Counsel for the Victim (George Hampel).- Case Preparation and Analysis (George Hampel).- Developing Legal Argument (George Hampel).- Written Advocacy (George Hampel).- Effective Court Room Communication (George Hampel).- Making an Opening (George Hampel).- Leading Evidence in Chief (George Hampel).- Conducting Cross-Examination (George Hampel).- Dealing with Expert Evidence (George Hampel).- Part II Appendix 1: Summary of Advocacy Fundamentals and Specific Advocacy Tasks (Elizabeth King and The Australian Advocacy Institute).- Part II Appendix 2: Advocacy Case Studies and Exercises (Elizabeth King and The Australian Advocacy Institute).- Part III - Interdisciplinary Consideration: Representing Victims who have been Subject to Violent Sexual or Reproductive Crimes (Solange Mouthaan).- Representing Victims Who Are Children (Francesca Capone).- Post-conflict Mental Health and the Role of Transitional Justice (Alvin Kuowei Tay and Zachary Steel).- Effective Communication in Multilingual Judicial Proceedings (Andrew Constable).- Interview Melinda McPherson: Considerations of Gender in Representing Victims before the International Criminal Court.- Part IV - Resources: Interview Jens Dieckmann: Member of the List of Counsel who has appeared before the International Criminal Court as a Victim Advocate.- Entretien avec Jean-Louis Gilissen: les defis de la representation des victimes de differentes cultures [Interview with Jean-Louis Gilissen: the challenges of representing victims of different cultures].- Interview Paolina Massidda: Counsel of the Office of Public Counsel for the Victims (OPCV).- Interview Fiona McKay: former Chief of the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS).- Interview with Mile Glamcevski: Vicarious Trauma and Self Care for the Victim Advocate.- Ensuring that Your Client Receives Adequate non-legal Professional Support Before, during and After the Court Process (Ronda Cress).