ICC ALLOWS KAUFMAN TO QUIT AS DUTERTE'S LEAD COUNSEL
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has allowed British barrister Carey Shenkman Kaufman to withdraw as lead counsel for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, according to initial information from court-related updates. Kaufman had been representing Duterte in proceedings linked to the ICC’s ongoing scrutiny of the government’s past anti-drug campaign. The decision to permit his withdrawal was recorded in recent ICC filings, though detailed reasoning behind the move has not yet been fully disclosed. As of now, there are no confirmed details on whether a replacement lead counsel has been formally designated.
Based on preliminary reports, Duterte’s legal team remains in place despite the departure of its principal international counsel. Local lawyers and advisers are expected to continue handling responses to ICC actions while adjustments to the defense lineup are made. The development comes as the ICC maintains its position that it retains jurisdiction to review alleged crimes committed during the period when the Philippines was still a state party to the Rome Statute. Philippine officials have previously asserted that the country’s withdrawal from the treaty should limit the court’s reach, but the ICC has taken a different view in earlier rulings.
The change in legal representation is being closely watched by legal analysts who follow the Philippines’ interactions with international bodies. For observers, the withdrawal of a lead counsel can signal strategic shifts in how a respondent engages with the court, although no such changes have been formally announced in this case. As of now, there are no confirmed details indicating that Duterte’s camp will alter its core position on the ICC’s authority. According to initial information, procedural timelines and existing ICC authorizations remain in effect unless modified by subsequent orders.
Public interest in the matter remains high, particularly among human rights advocates, legal practitioners, and political stakeholders tracking the country’s international commitments. Media outlets and civil society groups are awaiting further clarification from both the ICC and Duterte’s legal representatives on next steps. Any new counsel who may come on board will likely have to navigate complex questions of jurisdiction, state cooperation, and evidence-gathering procedures. Based on preliminary reports, more formal statements are expected in the coming weeks as the parties respond to the court’s latest actions.
