Camille Naredo

Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman during the first session of the confirmation of charges hearings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on February 23, 2026. ICC Handout

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177849709869520260223-icc-duterte-defense-nicholas-kaufman-HO-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman during the first session of the confirmation of charges hearings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on February 23, 2026. ICC Handout" width="960"/>Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman during the first session of the confirmation of charges hearings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on February 23, 2026. ICC Handout</div>MANILA — The International Criminal Court&#x27;s (ICC) Trial Chamber III on Monday accepted British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman&#x27;s withdrawal as former President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s lead defense counsel, saying that neither prejudice nor inconvenience arises from the move.The panel has been informed that &quot;the Accused has expressed a desire to release Mr Kaufman from his representation and hire another counsel to replace him,&quot; the Chamber said in a document dated May 11, 2026.&quot;The Request notes that Mr Kaufman has spoken to his replacement counsel, who has confirmed that he is willing and able to assume immediate representation of the Accused and that his terms of engagement have been agreed,&quot; it read.&quot;Additionally, the Request also states that Mr Kaufman has informed his replacement counsel of pending deadlines and that his replacement counsel has provided assurances that he will be able to attend this case&#x27;s next status conference which is set for 27 May 2026,&quot; it read.&quot;Having considered the present stage of the proceedings and the aforementioned factors, the Chamber is of the view that no prejudice arises or inconvenience is caused by accepting Mr Kaufman&#x27;s withdrawal.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/8/kaufman-jacobs-withdraw-as-lawyers-for-duterte-2358">READ: Kaufman, Jacobs withdraw as lawyers for Duterte</a></div>The ICC also approved Dov Jacob&#x27;s withdrawal as Duterte&#x27;s associate counsel.Despite Kaufman&#x27;s withdrawal from Duterte&#x27;s case, the British-Israeli lawyer is expected to continue his &quot;obligations under the Code of Professional Conduct for counsel, as well as any confidentiality obligations,&quot; the ICC said.In February, Kaufman told ABS-CBN News that he was hired as Duterte&#x27;s lawyer for the pre-trial period.Earlier this week, he confirmed that he has been replaced as Duterte&#x27;s lead defense counsel, but declined to introduce his successor.The new lawyer&#x27;s name has yet to be divulged to the public as the ICC has redacted the information from public records.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/10/duterte-meets-new-legal-counsel-after-kaufman-exit-1233">READ: Rodrigo Duterte meets new legal counsel picked by Kitty, Honeylet after Kaufman exit</a></div>

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) Trial Chamber III on Monday accepted British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman's withdrawal as former President Rodrigo Duterte's lead defense counsel, saying that neither prejudice nor inconvenience arises from the move.

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) Trial Chamber III on Monday accepted British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman's withdrawal as former President Rodrigo Duterte's lead defense counsel, saying that neither prejudice nor inconvenience arises from the move.

ICC accepts Kaufman's withdrawal as Duterte's legal counsel

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ICC accepts Kaufman's withdrawal as Duterte's legal counsel

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 11, 2026 06:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Nicholas Kaufman

Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

International Criminal Court

Dov Jacob

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