The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially recognized British barrister Peter Haynes KC as the new lead defense counsel for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in his ongoing crimes against humanity case.
According to a tribunal filing released by the Registry, Duterte finalized the transition by signing the official appointment papers on May 13, confirming Haynes as his legal representative before the Hague-based court. Haynes formally accepted the mandate on the same day, and the ICC Registry officially formalized the appointment on May 15.
“On 13 May 2026, Mr Duterte signed the appointment of counsel form whereby he confirms his appointment of Mr Haynes KC as his Counsel in the proceedings before the Court,” the ICC document read.
Haynes steps in to replace British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, whose formal request to step down from the defense team was approved by the tribunal on May 11. Kaufman previously noted that Haynes was prepared to take over the former president’s legal defense seamlessly ahead of a key status conference.
“Counsel has spoken to Mr. Haynes who has indeed confirmed that he is ready, willing and able to assume immediate representation and that his terms of engagement have been agreed,” Kaufman stated in his earlier submission to Trial Chamber III, adding that Haynes is prepared to attend the next status conference scheduled for May 27.
Haynes is a highly seasoned international trial lawyer with more than 25 years of experience handling prominent cases before various tribunals in The Hague. He previously served as the president of the International Criminal Court Bar Association from 2019 to 2021.
The British barrister is widely recognized for his work on high-profile international criminal cases. In 2024, the ICC appointed Haynes to protect the interests of Ugandan militant leader Joseph Kony during the court’s historic in absentia confirmation proceedings. Furthermore, Haynes was the lead counsel who successfully secured the landmark acquittal on appeal of Congolese politician Jean-Pierre Bemba, overturning previous convictions for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Duterte remains in detention in The Hague as the court processes allegations regarding thousands of state-sanctioned killings executed during his administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign, covering his tenures as both state president and mayor of Davao City.