Kosovo diary

I have been appointed as International Criminal Judge to the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). It is a 12 month appointment before returning to criminal practice at the Bar in Leeds and London.

So what is EULEX? The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) is the largest civilian mission ever launched under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The central aim is to assist and support the Kosovo authorities in the rule of law area, specifically in the police, judiciary and customs areas. In short, EULEX is assisting in laying the foundations of Kosovan statehood. EULEX has a staff of about 3,000 – 2000 internationals and 1000 locals. The internationals come from throughout the EU, usually on secondment from member states to the EULEX mission for 12

months. That is the basis of my participation. EULEX provides lawyers (judges, prosecutors, legal officers), police and customs specialists. Kosovo has its own democratically elected government. EULEX provides support to that government by the provision of monitoring, mentoring and advice to Kosovan institutions. The mission also has some executive functions.

So how did I get involved? I am a practising Barrister in the UK, working principally on the North Eastern Circuit in Leeds and in Chambers in London. I sit as a Deputy Judge Advocate in the Court Martial and as a Recorder in the Crown Court in the North East. I heard about EULEX and that it was looking to recruit staff for deployment to Kosovo. A perusal of the EULEX website led me to the request for applicants for judicial appointment. The minimum requirement was 3 years full time judicial experience within the applicant’s own jurisdiction. Staff in the UK Government’s Stabilisation Unit, a tri-departmental unit owned by the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, run the UK end of the process. I discovered that 6 years part time experience was acceptable too. Bingo! It was worth applying. One complex form, three references and an interview with 3 current EULEX judges later – and I received an email to tell me that I am selected, and that I was expected in Kosovo by 7th August 2010.

I checked whether my vaccinations were up to date, drafted lists of packing, booked my flights and downloaded a copy of the Kosovan Code of Criminal Procedure for light reading. It is with great excitement that I await my deployment. I look forward to further instalments of the diary as this adventure develops.