These reserve judges will be present at each stage of the proceedings and will replace a judge overseeing the case if he or she is unable to go on. The aim is to avoid situations where a trial is forced to re-start because of the withdrawal of a judge.



Just this week, two judges were replaced in proceedings against Ivica Rajic, a Bosnian Croat who pleaded guilty to war crimes last October after organising a plea agreement with prosecutors. Judge Janet Nosworthy and Judge Frank Hopfel will take over from Judge Alphons Orie and Judge Bakone Justice Moloto.