The International Criminal Court (ICC), while becoming effective from today is not yet fully operational. It is currently staffed by eight legal experts handling administrative tasks.
Here is an overview of the practical steps that will be taken before the court is fully operational:
September 2002
The 74 states that signed and ratified the treaty will meet in New York for an assembly of the state parties. At the meeting the parties will adopt the rules and procedures that allow the court to function.
They will describe the rules of procedures and evidence, define the elements of crimes, decide on a budget and sign an agreement with the Dutch government who hosts the court in The Hague.
The states will also set out the procedures to elect judges and prosecutors for the court.
January 2003
Another assembly for the state parties is called for January 2003 to elect the chief-prosecutor and 18 judges to the court.
February 2003
The ICC will hold an inaugural meeting in The Hague to swear in the newly elected court officials. The judges will elect presidents of the court from among themselves and establish a list of candidates for the registrar.
April 2003
The judges will elect a registrar, once this is done all principal officers of the court will be in place and the work of building up a court can begin in earnest.
The court should be ready to review complaints and order investigations by the end of 2003.
AFP