ICC Registry Lists French Lawyer Dov Jacobs as One of Duterte’s Lawyers
DOV JACOBS – The French lawyer is one of the lawyers that compose the International Criminal Court (ICC) legal team of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Before Vice Pres. Sara Duterte returned in the Philippines, British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman has confirmed that the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been finalized. He is the lead counsel of the former President who is now detained in the Hague Penitentiary Institution.
Duterte was released from the hospital wing of the ICC detention facility and is now under a regular detention. Vice Pres. Duterte really had it as a goal to finalize the legal team of her father before she returns to the country so she can work with them remotely.
Prior to returning to the country, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte thanked Pres. Bongbong Marcos for her renewed relationship with her father. According to her, she and the former President now got the chance to only talk about life and their family as all legal matters are discussed between him and his lawyer.
However, Vice Pres. Duterte clarified that it was “sarcasm” against Pres. Marcos whom she believes did not understand her statement. According to her, the former Presidents wants the legal proceedings to take as fast as it can as he does not want to die while being detained in the ICC.
Duterte’s lead counsel, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, is confident on their jurisdictional argument. According to him, if they will be able to convince the judges that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, things may no longer need to get to the confirmation of charges set on September 23.
Recently, the ICC registry named another member of the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, French lawyer Dov Jacobs is now officially party of Duterte’s ICC legal team.
The ICC document dated April 7, 2025 listed Dov Jacobs as an associate counsel in the case of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. His appointment was confirmed last April 3 and he signed the solemn Undertakings on April 7. Based on the report, it is a requirement under the ICC Code of Professional Conduct for Counsel.
The LinkedIn profile of Dov Jacobs stated that he is a defense trial lawyer in the International Criminal Court and he has also defended certain individuals charged with crimes against humanity. He has 15 years of experience in international law.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte expressed her willingness to attend the Senate probe over the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.