Rule 3
Precedence
1. The Members of the Court, in the exercise of their functions, are
of equal status, irrespective of age, date of election or length of
service.
2. Members of the Court shall, except as provided in sub-rule 4 and
5 of this Rule, take precedence according to the date on which their
terms of office respectively began pursuant to Rule 2 of these Rules.
3. Members of the Court who assume duty on the same date shall
take precedence, in relation to one another, according to seniority of
age.
4. A Member of the Court who is re-elected to a new term of office
which is continuous with his/her previous term shall retain his/her
precedence.
5. The President and the Vice-President of the Court, while holding
these offices, shall take precedence before all other Members of the
Court.
6. The Member of the Court who is, in accordance with the
foregoing sub-rules, next in precedence after the President and the
Vice-President, is in these Rules designated as “the Senior Member
of the Court". Whenever that Member is unable to act, the Member
of the Court who is next after him in precedence and able to act
shall be considered the Senior Member of the Court.
Rule 4
Oath of Office or Solemn Declaration
1. Pursuant to article 16 of the Protocol, each Member of the Court
shall make the following oath or solemn declaration: “I …….. (full
names of Judge) do swear or solemnly declare that I will perform my
duties and exercise my powers as a Member of the Court
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