He succeeds Judge Richard May who has presided over the Rules Committee for the past four years and has now resigned for health reasons.

The Rules Committee of the Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal considers all proposals for amendments to the Rules of Evidence and Procedure which regulate all the tribunal’s functions and work and reports to and advises the Plenary on the adoption of such amendments.

In the Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal, all rules of evidence and procedure are judged, made and adopted by the permanent judges in Plenary, as the need arises. Normally, two Plenary sessions are held annually

but, exceptionally, extraordinary ones are held to decide urgent issues.

The Rules Committee currently consists of Judge Agius as chairman, three other permanent judges and a non-voting representative from each of the Registry, Office of the Prosecutor and the Defence Counsel Association.

It also has a Secretariat consisting of two senior and one junior legal officers.

Judge Agius is also president of the tribunal’s Trial Chamber II as well as a member of its bureau. The bureau advises the president on all major issues, such as early or provisional release. Judge Agius recently made history when, for the first time, his trial chamber held an on-site visit in connection with the Brdjanin case over which he is currently presiding.