Biographical Note

BRUNO CATHALA OF FRANCE ELECTED REGISTRAR OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

(Reissued as received.)

THE HAGUE, 24 June (ICC) -- Bruno Cathala from France was elected today for a five-year term as Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a plenary meeting of the judges.

The announcement was made by the President of the ICC, Judge Philippe Kirsch, who explained that the Registrar was elected by an absolute majority on the first ballot.  Mr. Cathala became the first officer of the ICC when he was appointed Director of Common Services in October 2002 by the Assembly of States Parties, and the functions of the Registrar were assigned to him.

Mr. Cathala has extensive experience in public national law, international law and the judicial management aspects of international criminal law.  He holds a Diploma d’études approfondies en droit from the Université de Paris I; and has engaged in postgraduate studies on mediation, internal security and national defence.

Prior to joining the ICC, Mr. Cathala was Deputy Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.  His responsibilities included assisting the Registrar in carrying out his work and ensuring coordination of the work of the Judges, the Administrative Services and the Judicial Division.

Mr. Cathala served the French Ministry of Justice in different important positions from 1982 to 2001.  Among other posts, he was Judge Inspector of the French Judiciary Service and, in this capacity, he was responsible for inspection, control and audit of the Courts and institutions of the Ministry.  He has also been Vice-President of the Tribunal (Tribunal de Créteil) in charge of judicial administration dealing with civil and criminal cases.  As Deputy Director of the Judicial Protection Youth of the French Ministry of Justice, he was dealing with administrative affairs in charge of the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.

For information, contact:  Tel: +31 70 515 85 15; Fax: +31 70 515 85 55

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