Characterising the System of the International Criminal Court: An Exploration of the Role of the Court Through the Elements of Crimes and the Crime of Genocide
AbstractThis paper examines the nature of the legislative system of the International Criminal Court, as established by the Rome Statute and the Elements of Crimes. It asks, to what extent can this system be seen as self-contained and self-sustaining or is its role better described as one of global harmonisation of existing and developing international criminal law? By examining the Elements of Crimes and their operation through the case study of the crime of genocide, the paper identifies some of the contradictions and challenges facing both the judges and parties who are obliged to work within this system, and also national jurisdictions that simultaneously seek to maintain their sovereignty and be included within the International Criminal Court system.