The Influences of French Law on Appeal Proceedings before the International Criminal Court and the Tribunals

Abstract

The influences of French law on appeal proceedings in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ad hoc tribunals are reflected by the role played by judges, victims, parties civiles and third parties affected by decision in dispute. French criminal and civil procedures recognize both the right of appeal of victims such as at the ICC, and the active role that appeals judges play in the preparation of cases before the ICTs. The right of appeal of victims is an innovation of the Rome Statute which resembles the right of appeal of parties civiles in French criminal procedure. Appeal proceedings in the International Criminal Court and Tribunals serve as a model for their national counterparts in criminal cases. In fact, in international human rights law there is no two-tier requirement in criminal cases as there is in French law where proceedings are conducted before appeals courts and then in cassation . Keywords: ad hoc tribunals; French law; ICT; international criminal court; Rome statute; victims