How Do You Sleep at Night?

The role of emotions in the practice of international criminal law is now the subject of increasing examination and, in particular, the shift away from the historical understanding that the practice of law should be guided by reason and not emotion. While previous studies have examined the emotional toll of this area of practice on international criminal lawyers as a whole, this article aims to start to capture and assess the psychological impact of defending accused before international criminal courts. Beginning with an overview of the emotional dynamics of an international criminal trial, it identifies those aspects of international practice that are specific to the work of the defence, before discussing their emotional toll on the lawyers who defend, rather than prosecute or adjudicate. Drawing on discussions with defence team members, this article also offers some initial reflections on preserving the well-being of defence lawyers and safeguarding their contribution to the shared goal of meaningful accountability for the victims of mass atrocities through fair trials.