LIST OF AUTHORIZED ATTORNEYS (Departments I, II and III of the Court of BiH)
According to the provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Court of BiH (Application of rules for legal representatives acting in criminal proceedings before the Court, Article 49), the procedural rules for representatives apply equally to all attorneys acting in criminal proceedings before the Court, regardless of whether they are court-appointed or privately engaged.
The only exception concerns attorneys admitted through special recruitment.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications for inclusion on the list of authorized attorneys may be submitted by attorneys who:
✔ Hold a valid attorney license issued by one of the Bar Associations in BiH;
✔ Meet the required minimum threshold of experience, knowledge, and professional competence;
✔ Complete the required or substitute training (if applicable to the department).
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS – BASIC CRITERIA
• Status and Membership
The candidate must be a full and active member of one of the Bar Associations in BiH;
No criminal proceedings may be conducted against the candidate, nor may there be a criminal sanction resulting in removal from the bar register;
The Bar Association must not conduct disciplinary proceedings against the candidate, and no active sanction for a serious disciplinary violation may exist.
• Work Experience
At least 7 years of relevant legal experience as an attorney, judge, or prosecutor (Departments I and II).
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA BY DEPARTMENT
Department I – War Crimes
For attorneys wishing to be listed for war-crimes cases, in addition to the standard general admission requirements (full, active membership in one of the Bar Associations in BiH and at least 7 years of relevant legal experience), mandatory knowledge of international humanitarian law is required. This may be proven through professional engagement in war-crimes cases (as a judge, prosecutor, or defence attorney), alternatively by completing war-crimes training or holding an academic qualification in international humanitarian law.
Department II – Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption
For attorneys wishing to be listed for cases involving organized crime, economic crime, and corruption, in addition to the standard general admission requirements (full, active membership in one of the Bar Associations in BiH and at least 7 years of relevant legal experience), the only special requirement is good knowledge of the criminal legislation of BiH.
Specialized expertise in organized crime, economic crime, or corruption is not required for inclusion on the Department II list.
Department III – General Crime
For work before this department, the requirements are significantly more flexible compared to Departments I and II.
There is no prescribed minimum experience in handling specialized subject matter, nor are specialized trainings required.
The only criterion is general knowledge of domestic criminal law.
Experience in handling criminal cases under the jurisdiction of the Court of BiH (e.g. terrorism, illegal migration, customs offences, etc.) is desirable but not mandatory for inclusion on the Department III list.
NOTE
Attorneys already listed as authorized defence attorneys for Department I – War Crimes of the Court of BiH must attend a sufficient number of professional training hours within annual continuous professional development.
In 2025, for defence attorneys listed under Department I, a minimum of 8 hours of continuous professional development is required to remain on the list.
This requirement does not apply to attorneys listed under Departments II and III.
APPLICATION PROCESSING
Professional advisors of the Office conduct administrative and professional verification of the application.
If all requirements are met, the attorney is placed on the appropriate list of authorized defence attorneys and notified of admission.
The updated list of defence attorneys is submitted to the Court of BiH at the end of each month for the following month.
APPLICATION FOR THE LIST OF ATTORNEYS FOR PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT OF BiH
Complete and attach the
APPLICATION FORM
for inclusion on the list of attorneys authorized to act before Department I, Department II, and Department III of the Court of BiH.
The form may be filled in electronically or manually.
Mandatory attachments:
• Proof of membership in one of the Bar Associations;
• Certificate of work experience;
• Certificate confirming that no criminal proceedings are being conducted;
• Certificate of no criminal record;
• Certificate from the Bar Association confirming no disciplinary proceedings are being conducted and that no sanction for a serious disciplinary violation is active;
• A short biography of maximum 50 words regarding professional experience;
• Proof of attendance at relevant professional trainings (certificates, participation confirmations).
Method of Submission
The form with supporting documentation may be submitted in person at the Office premises or sent by mail to the following address:
Ministry of Justice of BiH
Dubrovačka 6/5
71 000 Sarajevo
NOTE
Providing inaccurate or incomplete information may result in the exclusion of the candidate from the application process or removal from the list of authorized attorneys.