ICC Judges Agree on Ethics Updates and Proposed Disciplinary Reforms

By Habari Entertainment

THE NETHERLANDS — International Criminal Court judges agreed on proposed changes to disciplinary procedures, updates to judicial ethics standards, and revisions to trial preparation guidance during their annual judicial retreat on September 29, 2026.

The discussions focused on the Court’s framework for addressing misconduct by elected officials, alongside ethical obligations for judges and improvements to internal working practices.

Proposed Changes to Disciplinary Procedures

The judges agreed on proposed amendments to Chapter 8 of the Regulations of the Court, which concerns disciplinary measures. The changes aim to clarify applicable procedures and align the Regulations with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence following amendments adopted by the Assembly of States Parties in 2025.

The proposals will be submitted to the Advisory Committee on Legal Texts. They therefore represent a further step in the amendment process rather than a completed overhaul of the disciplinary framework.

Binding Ethics Standards and Social Media Guidance

The judges also agreed to amend Article 12 of the ICC Code of Judicial Ethics to expressly acknowledge that its ethical standards are binding and that failure to comply may amount to misconduct.

That distinction matters: the proposed wording recognizes that a breach can constitute misconduct without suggesting that every instance of non-compliance automatically carries that finding.

In addition, the judges finalized the wording of a new paragraph for Article 10 addressing their use of social media. The announcement did not provide the paragraph’s full text or specify the restrictions or obligations it would introduce.

The revised Code of Judicial Ethics is expected to be published shortly.

Updates to Trial Preparation and Judgment Drafting

The retreat also addressed how the Court’s chambers prepare trials and draft judgments.

Drawing on lessons learned, the judges agreed to update the “Guideline on Trial Preparation and Judgment Drafting,” an annex to the Chambers Practice Manual. The revisions include additional best practices for trial preparation.

They also updated a procedural template for Conduct of Proceeding decisions and agreed to make that template publicly available. The revised annexes are expected to be published shortly.

What Happens Next

Publication of the revised ethics code and practice manual annexes will provide the detailed wording needed to assess the changes. The proposed disciplinary amendments will proceed to the Advisory Committee on Legal Texts.

Together, the decisions address three areas of the Court’s operations: disciplinary procedures, judicial conduct, and the practical organization of trials.

Source: International Criminal Court announcement supplied to Habari Entertainment.

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