The International Criminal Court: struggling to find its way

In spite of the initial success in the establishment of the International Criminal Court, the Court is facing difficulties in becoming operational and effective. Many procedural defects stand out. In addition, the idea that the choices of ‘situations’ falling under the Court's jurisdiction is left to one unaccountable individual, who employs vague concepts of ‘gravity’ and ‘interests of justice’ to explain these, is the Court's greatest flaw. The Court remains confronted by the need to address shortcomings that have manifested themselves in its first years of operation. Nevertheless, there are many encouraging signs that it continues to enjoy the confidence of a large number of states