FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed British barrister Peter Haynes as his new lead counsel before the International Criminal Court (ICC) as his crimes against humanity case moves into the trial phase.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber earlier confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity against the former leader.
According to a declassified “Counsel’s Request to Withdraw” filed on May 8, 2026, outgoing counsel Nicholas Kaufman formally requested to step down after his one-year engagement terminated on March 31, 2026.
The document reveals that the defense team visited Mr. Duterte on May 7, where he officially released Kaufman and documented his desire to hire Haynes as his replacement.
Kaufman noted that he had already spoken with Haynes, who confirmed he is “ready, willing, and able to assume immediate representation” and will attend the upcoming status conference scheduled for May 27, 2026.
Who is Peter Haynes?
Haynes, a King’s Counsel from St Philips Chambers in Birmingham, is regarded as a heavyweight in international criminal law.
His resume includes:
- A Landmark Acquittal: He is best known for securing the 2018 acquittal of former Congolese senator Jean-Pierre Bemba at the ICC—a rare reversal on appeal that sent shockwaves through the international legal community.
- Leadership at the Bar: He served two consecutive terms as President of the ICC Bar Association starting in 2019.
- High-Stakes Appointments: In 2024, the ICC appointed him to represent fugitive Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Joseph Kony in the court’s first-ever in absentia proceedings.
While Kaufman’s tenure focused on the preliminary and pre-trial stages, Haynes brings over 30 years of experience appearing before the ICC, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Outgoing counsel Nicholas Kaufman expressed confidence in the transition, stating in his filing: “I am convinced that the continuity and efficacy of Mr. Duterte’s representation will remain assured through Mr. Haynes, who has a wealth of experience at the International Criminal Court.”
The international community and local observers now look toward the May 27 status conference, which will mark Haynes’ first formal appearance as the face of the Duterte defense.
