Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
PART 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT
Article 1
The Court
An International Criminal Court ("the Court") is hereby established. It shall be a permanent
institution and shall have the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the most serious
crimes of international concern, as referred to in this Statute, and shall be complementary to
national criminal jurisdictions. The jurisdiction and functioning of the Court shall be governed
by the provisions of this Statute.
Article 2
Relationship of the Court with the United Nations
The Court shall be brought into relationship with the United Nations through an agreement to
be approved by the Assembly of States Parties to this Statute and thereafter concluded by the
President of the Court on its behalf.
Article 3
Seat of the Court
1.
The seat of the Court shall be established at The Hague in the Netherlands ("the host
State").
2.
The Court shall enter into a headquarters agreement with the host State, to be
approved by the Assembly of States Parties and thereafter concluded by the President
of the Court on its behalf.
3.
The Court may sit elsewhere, whenever it considers it desirable, as provided in this
Statute.
Article 4
Legal status and powers of the Court
1.
The Court shall have international legal personality. It shall also have such legal
capacity as may be necessary for the exercise of its functions and the fulfilment of its
purposes.
2.
The Court may exercise its functions and powers, as provided in this Statute, on the
territory of any State Party and, by special agreement, on the territory of any other
State.
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