Training seminars for defence counsel working on war crimes cases

The seminars will train 45 defence counsel from Prizren/Prizren and Prishtinë/Priština to strengthen their capacity in handling war crimes cases. As with two earlier seminars held in Pejë/Peć and Prishtinë/Priština, in March this year, these training courses seek to further understanding of the relevant substantive law and the use of advanced trial skills among participating defence counsel. The seminars will focus on key elements in developing a case strategy for war crimes cases in light of international law and practice, as well as the law and practice in Kosovo. They will be led by Gregor D. Guy-Smith, defence counsel specialized in serious cases and complex litigation, including war crimes.

The series of training seminars is being organized as part of the OSCE/ODIHR War Crimes Justice Project – Phase II. It utilizes the international criminal law training curriculum and the Manual on International Criminal Defence, which were developed under the War Crimes Justice Project – Phase I. The project was developed to assist justice actors in the Western Balkans in prosecuting and adjudicating war crimes. It is led by ODIHR and anchored in the OSCE field operations based in the Western Balkans.