Haynes formally appointed as Duterte counsel

MANILA, Philippines — British lawyer Peter Haynes has been formally appointed as the new defense counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court.

The ICC on Monday made public Haynes’ notification of appointment, including the document signed by Duterte on May 13.

The former president appointed Haynes as “counsel for the purpose of legal assistance in the framework of the proceedings carried out before the” ICC, replacing Nicholas Kaufman.

The appointment was formalized by the ICC Registry on May 15, the same day Haynes filed his observations ahead of the case’s first status conference later this month.

In his 14-page observation, the British lawyer said it would be “inappropriate to attempt to set a date for the commencement of trial” due to unresolved factors.

Haynes plans to revisit the issue of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial, citing the former president’s deteriorating condition.

“Trial proceedings differ fundamentally from pre-trial proceedings in their duration, complexity and evidentiary scope,” the lawyer told the trial chamber.

“A trial requires the accused to follow extensive oral and documentary evidence over a prolonged period, maintain sustained communication with his defense team, provide instructions and engage continuously with the evolving evidentiary record,” he added.