British lawyer Peter Haynes, legal counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, raised concerns over the volume and organization of prosecution evidence in the crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the current stage of the proceedings as “a mess.”

During the ICC’s third status conference on Wednesday, September 16, Haynes pointed to the prosecution’s 15,000-item evidence list and the broader disclosure materials that the defense is expected to review ahead of the trial.

“It’s the only solution that we can suggest given the current state of the case, which is a mess,” Haynes told the Trial Chamber while discussing the difficulties faced by the defense in reviewing the evidence.

“If I had a younger and healthier client, I would invite you to put back the trial date by six months and start disclosure again. But I don’t,” he added.

Haynes said the defense was instead seeking possible solutions to address the volume of materials and the state of disclosure.

“So I’m looking for solutions,” he said.

ICC Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joanna Korner acknowledged the issue as a major matter requiring further consideration.

“I rather feel, Mr. Haynes, this is clearly something that is a major topic and I think we’re going to require some kind of written submissions on this,” Korner said.

The Chamber subsequently gave Haynes seven days to file a motion regarding the defense’s concerns, allowing the prosecution to respond as part of the proceedings.

The issue forms part of the broader dispute over the volume, organization and timing of evidence disclosures as the ICC prepares for the trial in Duterte’s case.