AS the former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte faces the charges served by the prosecution of the International Criminal Court (ICC), one name stands at the forefront of his defense: Nicholas Kaufman.
But who is this lawyer leading Duterte’s case against the prosecution?
Nicholas Kaufman: Lawyer Profile
Nicholas Kaufman, a British-Israeli barrister, is a veteran international lawyer with a track record of handling high-profile cases.
He earned his law degree from the University of Cambridge in 1989, one of the world’s top institutions for legal studies. Consistently ranked among the best in major academic league tables, Cambridge has a longstanding reputation for excellence in legal education.
Moreover, Kaufman’s LinkedIn Profile describes him as “a leading advocate specializing in international criminal law, supranational regulatory law, and commercial arbitration”.
He also worked as a trial lawyer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia before he served as a defense counsel at the ICC.
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Nicholas Kaufman: Legal Career
Kaufman has represented several high-profile clients in international criminal cases.
One of Kaufman’s notable clients was Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, former Vice President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and leader of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC). Bemba was initially convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically for acts of murder and rape committed by his militia in the Central African Republic.
He was detained in The Hague for a decade and, in 2016, was sentenced to 18 years in prison. However, in 2018, the ICC’s Appeals Chamber overturned his conviction, leading to his acquittal and release.
Kaufman was also appointed as counsel to Maxim Mokom Gwaka, an alleged militia leader from the Central African Republic. He was charged before the tribunal for crimes like murder, extermination, deportation or forcible transfer, imprisonment, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance, and directing attacks against civilians and religious buildings.
But, on October 16, 2023, the ICC Prosecutor withdrew all charges against Mokom, citing the unavailability of witnesses and insufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Mokom was released from custody on October 19, 2023.
Duterte’s Legal Team
Beyond Kaufman, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also play key roles in the legal defense team of the former president, contributing their expertise in both domestic and international legal matters.
On Friday, March 14, 2025, former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for a pre-trial hearing, attending the proceedings via video link with former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea representing him.
He is scheduled to face the court again on September 23, 2025, for the confirmation of charges hearing, where the judges will determine whether the case will proceed to trial.
