The International Criminal CourtÂ's move to The Hague is a step closer as nine countries deposited their ratification of the CourtÂ's Statute at the UN in New York last Thursday. This brings the total number of ratifications above the sixty required, so the Statute comes into effect on 1 July.
The International Criminal Court, which will sit in The Hague, will only have jurisdiction over crimes committed after 1 July 2002. It will begin work after the judges, prosecutor and registrar have been installed, probably in spring 2003. It can receive, register and file cases in the meantime.
The International Criminal Court will be based in temporary premises until 2007 when it will move to the site of the Alexanderkazerne barracks.
(source> City of The Hague)
