Plenary Sessions

The Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and evidence stipulate that the judges shall meet in plenary sessions to take certain important decisions that require their full consideration, such as the organisation of the judiciary of the Court in the three Divisions (Pre-Trial, Trial, and Appeals Divisions).

Unless otherwise provided in the Statute or the Rules, the decisions must be taken by the majority of the judges present. The quorum for each plenary session is two-thirds of the judges. In the event of an equality of votes, the President, or the judge acting in the place of the President, has a casting vote.

The judges shall meet in plenary session at least once a year to exercise their functions under the Statute, the Rules and the Regulations and, if necessary, in special plenary sessions convened by the President on his or her own motion or at the request of one half of the judges.

According to rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, after the inaugural ceremony of the ICC, on 11 March 2003, the judges have met twice in plenary session, firstly to elect the President and the two Vice Presidents, and lastly to assign the judges to the three divisions.