Associate counsel joins Duterte team
(UPDATE) THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has appointed French attorney Dov Jacobs as associate counsel for former president Rodrigo Duterte, who stands accused of crimes against humanity before the tribunal. The ICC Registry confirmed the appointment in an official notification issued on Tuesday, marking a pivotal step in the high-profile proceedings. The decision follows a formal request submitted on April 2, 2025, by Duterte's lead defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, seeking Jacobs' inclusion in the legal team. The ICC Registry granted approval the following day, citing Jacobs' adherence to the Court's Code of Professional Conduct. As associate counsel, Jacobs will provide legal advisory support, conduct in-depth research, draft critical defense documents, and assist in courtroom proceedings. With 15 years of experience in international criminal law, human rights, and transitional justice, Jacobs brings a wealth of expertise to Duterte's defense. He currently serves as assistant professor of Public International Law at Leiden University and holds guest professorships at prestigious institutions, including Sciences Po (Paris) and Université de Lille. Jacobs' legal credentials include degrees from King's College London, Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Paris II Panthéon-Assas, complemented by a Political Science degree from Sciences Po, Paris. He further solidified his academic standing with a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence, where his research focused on hybrid tribunals and international criminal law. He is concurrently involved in high-stakes international cases, including the defense of Laurent Gbagbo, former president of Ivory Coast, and Mahamat Said before the ICC, as well as Félicien Kabuga at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT). The Gbagbo case underscores Jacobs' experience in complex ICC litigation. In 2019, the Court acquitted Gbagbo, citing insufficient evidence, but the 2021 Appeals Chamber ruling overturned the decision, mandating a retrial due to procedural errors. Jacobs' appointment signals a reinforced defense strategy as Duterte's legal team prepares for the next phases of the ICC proceedings.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has appointed French attorney Dov Jacobs as associate counsel for former president Rodrigo Duterte, who stands accused of crimes against humanity before the tribunal.
The ICC Registry confirmed the appointment in an official notification issued on Tuesday, marking a pivotal step in the high-profile proceedings.
The decision follows a formal request submitted on April 2, 2025, by Duterte's lead defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, seeking Jacobs' inclusion in the legal team.
The ICC Registry granted approval the following day, citing Jacobs' adherence to the Court's Code of Professional Conduct.
As associate counsel, Jacobs will provide legal advisory support, conduct in-depth research, draft critical defense documents, and assist in courtroom proceedings.
With 15 years of experience in international criminal law, human rights, and transitional justice, Jacobs brings a wealth of expertise to Duterte's defense.
He currently serves as assistant professor of Public International Law at Leiden University and holds guest professorships at prestigious institutions, including Sciences Po (Paris) and Université de Lille.
Jacobs' legal credentials include degrees from King's College London, Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Paris II Panthéon-Assas, complemented by a Political Science degree from Sciences Po, Paris. He further solidified his academic standing with a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence, where his research focused on hybrid tribunals and international criminal law.
He is concurrently involved in high-stakes international cases, including the defense of Laurent Gbagbo, former president of Ivory Coast, and Mahamat Said before the ICC, as well as Félicien Kabuga at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT).
The Gbagbo case underscores Jacobs' experience in complex ICC litigation. In 2019, the Court acquitted Gbagbo, citing insufficient evidence, but the 2021 Appeals Chamber ruling overturned the decision, mandating a retrial due to procedural errors.
Jacobs' appointment signals a reinforced defense strategy as Duterte's legal team prepares for the next phases of the ICC proceedings.
