The Court Management and Support Services Section (CMSS) ensures the smooth and efficient operation of court proceedings. Within the Registry, its primary purpose is to provide administrative support for all trials, including hearings, conferences, depositions, and admissions of written statements and transcripts in lieu of oral testimony.

CMSS makes all the necessary organisational and judicial arrangements for court proceedings and has exclusive responsibility for the receipt, filing, reproduction and public dissemination of court documents, such as transcripts, exhibits, arrest warrants, indictments, motions, briefs and court orders issued by the Trial Chamber. CMSS maintains archives of all court case documentation. The section also advises on rules and procedure changes dealing with court operations.

Inside the courtroom, CMSS is represented by court officers and court ushers. The court officer performs the functions of the Registrar during court proceedings, and acts as the main liaison between chambers, prosecution and defence counsel. The court usher is an intermediary between parties during court sessions and provides logistical support in the courtroom itself.

Outside of the courtroom, administration of filings and transcripts is dealt with by court records assistants, transcript coordinators and archivists. This includes paper filings, the handling of the Tribunal’s electronic judicial database, and the administration of the audio-visual recordings of courtroom proceedings.

With a team of about 40 trained international professionals and support staff, the Court Management and Support Section has also been able to implement a powerful electronic court management system for the benefit of all trial participants. In this respect, and others, CMSS has been a model and support for other courts – including the International Criminal Court and the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina - in the establishment of their court management systems.