Manila: Former president Rodrigo Duterte has tapped international criminal and humanitarian law expert Peter Haynes as his new lead counsel, replacing Nicholas Kaufman. The International Criminal Court (ICC) released a court document on Tuesday, wherein Kaufman notified the ICC Trial Chamber III that Haynes is to replace him and represent Duterte in his upcoming trial before the court.

According to Philippines News Agency, Kaufman stated that Haynes has confirmed his readiness to assume immediate representation and that his terms of engagement have been agreed upon. Kaufman informed Haynes of pending deadlines, and Haynes assured that he will be able to attend the status conference set for 27 May 2026.

Haynes, as per his profile at St. Philips Barristers, is among the few practitioners to have led cases before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). He defended General Vinko Pandurevic in relation to the Srebrenica massacre and appeared at the ICC and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). At the ICC, Haynes secured the acquittal of Jean-Pierre Bemba, Minister of Defence and Senator of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on appeal.

In 2024, Haynes was appointed by the court to represent Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, in the first in absentia hearings at the ICC. He also served as president of the International Criminal Court Bar Association between 2019 and 2021, becoming the first person to be re-elected to the post.