Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Office of the Registrar

Tribunal spcial pour le Liban

Bureau du Greffier

SUMMARY OF THE 2012 BUDGET OF THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON

Introduction
On 20 September 2011, the Registrar submitted to the Management Committee the Special Tribunal for
Lebanons (STL) fourth annual budget (2012 Budget) which outlines the financial requirements for the
period 1 January to 31 December 2012. The 2012 Budget was approved by the Management Committee
on 1 December 2011 in the amount of EUR 55,265,317.

Justification for the 2012 Budget

In 2012, the STLs primary aim is to ensure that expedient and fair judicial proceedings are conducted. In
particular, the focus of Chambers will be on the commencement of proceedings in the Ayyash et al.
case. The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) will continue with the investigations into the attack of 14
February 2005. This will include efforts to strengthen the evidence in the Ayyash et al. case as well as
efforts to bring to justice others who may be responsible for the attack. Investigations into a number of
connected cases will continue. In this regard, judicial activity may also be undertaken concerning the
review of other indictments as well as pre-trial activity in relation to such indictments in case of
confirmation by the Pre-Trial Judge. The Registry will further develop its capacity to provide all required
support to the Chambers, the Office of the Prosecutor and the Defence Office in order to facilitate the
performance of their functions, including ensuring that all modalities will be in place for pre-trial and
trial related activities. The areas of the Registry that are dealing with judicial activities will therefore
need to be strengthened throughout 2012. The focus of the Defence Office for 2012 will be on
continued support and assistance to counsel participating in proceedings before the STL, thereby
ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected.
In order to limit the financial requirements of the 2012 Budget, a number of measures were
implemented aimed at reducing costs. For instance, the approved budget only includes a very limited
increase in staffing in crucial areas directly related to judicial activities. In addition, a number of
decisions have been taken to limit costs such as a virtual Tribunal-wide zero growth policy for travel and
training.
An overall comparison to the 2011 Budget is difficult to make, not only because of the fact that, as
recommended by the STLs auditors, the present budget is presented in euros and the previous budgets
were presented in US dollars, but also because of the considerable fluctuations in exchange rates over
the year. However, there have been some areas of the 2012 Budget in which there are clear increases in

Dokter van der Stamstraat 1, 2265 BC Leidschendam, Netherlands

PO Box 115, 2260 AC Leidschendam, Netherlands
T. +31 (0) 70 800 3400; F. +31 (0) 70 800 3582
www.stl-tsl.org

Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Office of the Registrar

Tribunal spcial pour le Liban

Bureau du Greffier

costs as compared with the 2011 Budget. In the first place, Tribunal-wide staffing costs in the 2011
Budget included not only costs for staff that were on board for the entire year, but also costs for staff
that came on board in the course of 2011, the majority of which continue to be required for the entirety
of 2012. Second, during 2011, Chambers functioned until mid-September with only three judges in full
operation: the President, the Vice-President and the Pre-Trial Judge. As approved by the UN SecretaryGeneral and in accordance with the STLs judicial requirements, in mid-September all remaining eight
judges were installed at the STL. Third, in the Registry, a number of sections, including the Court
Management, Language Services sections and the Victims and Witnesses unit are significantly influenced
by the fact that intensified court activities are expected to take place in 2012. Finally, both the Defence
Office and the Victims Participation Unit will require substantial additional resources in order to
implement their legal aid policies to ensure adequate legal representation of accused and victims.

Conclusions
In order to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum, further efficiencies and cost saving measures will
be sought and implemented throughout 2012. Such measures include the redeployment of staff within
different sections of the STL during times of intense activity and the improvement of cooperation with
other international organizations. Additionally, the Registrar will devote attention to the formulation
and implementation of a fundraising strategy to ensure that the approved 2012 Budget is adequately
financed.
In conclusion, the 2012 Budget amount represents the financial requirements that will permit intensified
judicial activities during 2012 in order to allow the STL to move towards the expedient and efficient
completion of its mandate.

Dokter van der Stamstraat 1, 2265 BC Leidschendam, Netherlands

PO Box 115, 2260 AC Leidschendam, Netherlands
T. +31 (0) 70 800 3400; F. +31 (0) 70 800 3582
www.stl-tsl.org