Leidschendam, 15 January 2010: Today, the President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon has signed three Practice Directions regulating various procedural aspects of the work of the Tribunal and its proceedings.

The Practice Direction on Filings of Documents before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon addresses the specific requirements on how to submit filings during proceedings at the STL.

The Practice Direction on the Procedure for Taking Depositions under Rules 123 and 157 and for taking Witness Statements for Admission in Court under Rule 155 defines specific requirements to conduct depositions and to gather witness statements. The Annex to the Practice Direction provides a model statement form to assist investigators working for all parties when gathering statements henceforth.

The Practice Direction for Video-Conference Links provides several practical arrangements necessary for deposition evidence or testimony to be taken or received via video-conference link in accordance with Rules 123 (D) and 124, as well as to enable an accused to participate in proceedings as envisioned in Rule 105.

The Practice Directions were issued pursuant to Rule 32(E) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, which vests the President with the authority to issue Practice Directions that address and expand on detailed aspects of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, after having consulted with the Registrar, the Head of Defence Office and the Prosecutor.