Common Civility is a combination of words that in everyday life would translate as “usual courtesy or politeness”. In a legal context it has given a specific connotation; it refers to the two main legal cultures, common law and civil law. Moreover, by combining these two words it can be seen to refer to international criminal law, which is often regarded as a combination or even a merger of these two legal cultures. On top of that, and going back to its everyday meaning, the terms refer to “civilization that we have in common”. This should be understood as, not one legal system is better than the other; both deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect.

Under the title of Common Civility, we wish to accommodate and initiate a debate on culture and law in the field of international criminal justice. The theme of culture and law is relatively new to the field of international criminal law, at least as debated and studied by lawyers. This is remarkable bearing in mind that international criminal law by nature is a cultural hybrid and a field where different cultures clash and merge.