The Independent Panel on International Criminal Court Judicial Elections (Panel) assesses judicial candidates for the International Criminal Court (ICC or Court) based on the requirements of the ICC’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute. The ICC is a permanent international court which investigates and tries individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Panel is composed of international law and judicial experts from around the world, and represents both civil and common law systems. The Panel was established to fill a significant gap in the procedure for the election of judges to the bench of the ICC, namely an independent assessment of whether each judicial candidate fulfils the qualifications prescribed by Article 36 of the Rome Statute. This provision establishes a framework for the election of judges to the ICC, including by fixing qualifications for judges, fostering fair and competitive elections, and ensuring geographic and equitable gender representation.

Learn more about the Independent Panel

Read the report of the Independent Panel