Court Management
The Court Management Section is part of the Registry and provides administrative and logistical support for the proceedings before both the Trial and Appeals Chambers of the Special Court. The section, comprised of some 32 staff members, more than half of which are from Sierra Leone, is divided into 4 units: the Court Records, Archives and Library unit, the Court Support unit, the Language unit and the Court Reporters unit.
The Court Records and Archives Unit acts as custodian for all case transcripts, audio visual recordings and correspondence files in relation to the proceedings before the Special Court. The Records Assistants and Records Clerks must observe the legal procedures in the management and organisation of the court files in accordance with the established directives and instructions as set out in the practice direction on filing documents before the Special Court.
The Court Support Unit as the name suggests provides practical and organisational support to both the Trial and Appeal Chambers, before, during and after court hearings. In the courtroom court support officers prepare a minute of the proceedings, recording significant issues raised, appearance of witnesses and decisions, orders or directives rendered by the bench.
The Language Unit's remit is to ensure the accurate translation and interpretation of court proceedings for the benefit of the Judges, lawyers, witnesses, detainees and public.
Highly qualified court reporters are employed by the court and they are responsible for completing an electronic record of everything said in the courtroom. From their initial recording they prepare transcripts for the court practitioners which form the basis of the official archive of the court.