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> Delivering on the promise of a fair, effective and independent Court > Election of ICC and ASP Officials > Judges

First Election - 2003 Second Election - 2006 Third Election - 2007 Fourth Election - 2009 Fifth Election – 2009

The first election of judges took place during the first resumed session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) from 3-7 February 2003, at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The second election of judges took place on 26-27 January 2006 during the resumed fourth session of the ASP at UN headquarters in New York.

During the sixth session of the Assembly of States Parties in New York from 30 November to 14 December 2007, judicial elections were held to replace three judges who had resigned prior to the end of their terms.

On 19-20 January 2009, during the first resumed session of the seventh session of the ASP at the UN Headquarters in New York, states elected six new ICC judges for nine-year terms.

Following the resignation for personal reasons of a judge and the passing of another judge, states elected two new judges during the eighth session of the ASP to fill these vacancies.

About the Nomination and Election Process

The Assembly of States Parties is responsible for electing the judges of the Court. The Court is composed of 18 judges elected for a term of office of nine years.

The Rome Statute provides that:
• Each State Party may put forward one candidate for any given election.
• Nominations shall be made either by the procedure for the nomination of candidates for appointment to the highest judicial offices in the State in question, or by the procedure provided for the nomination of candidates for the International Court of Justice in the Statute of that Court.
• Every candidate shall have established competence in criminal law and procedure (list A candidates) or in relevant areas of international law (list B candidates).
• States Parties must take into account the representation of the principal legal systems of the world, equitable geographical representation and a fair representation of female and male judges.

After the first election in February 2003, in accordance with the Rome Statute, one third of the judges was selected by lot to serve for a term of three years; one third for a term of six years and the remainder for a term of nine years. As a result, elections of judges are expected to take place at least every three years.

NGO Campaign for a Fair and Transparent Election

During the first election, for the first time, NGOs actively monitored the nomination and election of judges of an international judicial institution.

NGOs campaigned on several levels, including:
• on the procedure for the nomination and election of ICC judges;
• at the national level to promote a transparent selection process leading to the nomination of highly qualified candidates; and
• in raising awareness about and evaluating the qualifications of candidates.

NGOs also involved the media in the campaign (more information on media work available in Press Room).