This book canvasses the autonomous position of victims before the International Criminal Court. It seeks to provide an objective and balanced perspective, and neither rejects the idea of victims' participation nor seeks to extend it beyond the contours determined by the founders of the ICC.
The author contributes to the existing debate in academia and in practice by delineating the core, most complex and contentious matters ensuing from the role assigned to victims. The scrupulously selected issues unveil and blueprint the essential characteristics that delimit the standing of victims as independent actors in the ICC's arena, distinct from the parties and other non-party participants. As an integral part of the ICC's synergy, victims converge and interact with its other components. Therefore, the position and role of victims are contemplated in the context of the Court's procedural mechanism and the mission pursued by the parties and the Chamber.
The philosophy underpinning the ICC's design and the standing of victims therein also requires analysis from a wider perspective. Accordingly, the volume draws an in-depth parallel with relevant developments and trends at the international and domestic level. Close attention is paid to the legal instruments and jurisprudence of international(ized) criminal justice bodies, human rights institutions and non-criminal jurisdictions to the extent useful for shedding further light on the issues at hand. Recourse is also made to various national systems, whenever relevant.

About the Author: Dr. Tatiana Bachvarova is a legal scholar and consultant in international and comparative criminal justice, criminal procedure and evidence, and human rights law. She was a Judge at the Sofia District Court, Bulgaria (2007-2016). Dr. Bachvarova was a visiting professional at the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (2015) and took part in proceedings at the International Court of Justice (2013-2014). Prior to her position at the Sofia District Court, she completed her judicial training at the National Institute of Justice, Sofia, Bulgaria (2005) and worked as a Junior Judge at the Sofia City Court, Bulgaria (2005-2007).
She holds a Ph.D. from Middlesex University, London, UK (2015), an LL.M. from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK (2009), and an LL.M. from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria (2004).
Dr. Bachvarova was a member of the Bulgarian Judges Association and a referee of foreign judges within the European Judicial Training Network. She has been a guest lecturer and presenter on a number of occasions. Dr. Bachvarova is a member of the Editorial Board of International Law Research.
She has published in renowned international journals and collected volumes on diverse procedural and substantive issues in the realm of international criminal justice, comparative criminal law and procedure, the law of evidence and human rights.