Napier urges court powers to prosecute war crime cases

Domestic legislation allowing the UK to co-operate with an international criminal court should include a provision ensuring that countries can prosecute suspected war criminals of all nationalities, said Law Society President Michael Napier.

Responding to a government consultation on legislation which will herald the setting up of the court - agreed to by more than 60 countries in 1998.

Mr Napier also warned that the legislation must ensure that nobody is immune to prosecution because of their position or rank.

Mel James, an international policy executive at the Law Society, said the legislation would be 'severely flawed' if the two points were not incorporated.

She said: 'We are quite positive that these points will be taken up.

When we met with Peter Hain, the Foreign Office minister, they seem to strike home.'

Victoria MacCallum