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The Bar Council of England and Wales has joined other bar and law associations in condemning the latest sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court by the Trump administration, in a press release published on 22 October 2026.
The statement urges the US administration to withdraw all sanctions imposed against the ICC and its personnel, as well as sanctions against a UN Special Rapporteur and civil society organisations arising from their engagement with the court, and to refrain from measures that interfere with the independent administration of justice. It also calls on the UK government and other states parties to use every available diplomatic means to persuade the US to reverse the sanctions, take effective steps to protect the court’s independence and ability to function, and safeguard those who work with and support the court.
Key points
- The Bar Council of England and Wales has signed a joint statement with multiple other bar and law associations calling for the withdrawal of all US sanctions on the ICC.
- US sanctions have targeted ICC judges, prosecutors and staff, as well as a UN Special Rapporteur and civil society organisations engaging with the court, since February 2025.
- The ICC is currently investigating 13 situations, with seven individuals in custody.
- The joint statement is signed by 17 organisations including the Bar Council, the Bar of Northern Ireland, the Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute.
- Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC was quoted in the release.
What the statement says
The Bar Council describes the ICC as an independent judicial institution dealing with the most serious global crimes including crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. It states that the consequences of the sanctions extend beyond the court and those who work for it, and that sanctions against the court risk obstructing justice by undermining investigations and trials, witness protection, victims’ rights to justice and reparation, and accountability for the most serious crimes.
Comment from the Chair of the Bar
Kirsty Brimelow KC said: “The Bar Council of England and Wales is deeply concerned by the further US sanctions imposed on ICC judges, prosecutors and staff, as well as a UN Special Rapporteur and civil society organisations affected.”
She added: “The independence of our international legal system is a fundamental principle of the rule of law. Sanctions directed at individuals because of their work in an independent judicial institution stifle the administration of justice and so impede access to the court by those who are suffering the most egregious crimes.”
Brimelow also said: “Independent courts, lawyers and judges must be able to perform their duties without fear or favour. We join with other Bar and law associations in defence of international law and the administration of justice; this includes protecting the ICC from political interference, attacks and pressure.”