The Court may exercise jurisdiction over a case where: a. a State Party accepts the authority of the Court; b. the conduct occurred within the territory of a State Party; c. the accused is a national of a State Party; d. the alleged victim is a national of a State Party, where permitted by this Treaty and applicable international law; e. a State that is not a Party to this Treaty accepts the jurisdiction of the Court for a particular case or category of cases; or f. jurisdiction is otherwise provided by this Treaty or another lawful international agreement.
The Court shall have the independent authority to initiate investigations on its own initiative where it has reasonable grounds to believe that conduct falling within its lawful jurisdiction may have occurred.
The Court may initiate an investigation without receiving a referral from a State where credible information indicates the commission or attempted commission of serious crimes or violations falling within its jurisdiction, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, unlawful initiation or conduct of armed conflict, human trafficking, sexual exploitation or abuse, abduction, kidnapping, or other serious violations of international law.
The Court may receive information, evidence, complaints, reports, or referrals from States, international organisations, humanitarian organisations, human-rights organisations, civil-society organisations, victims, witnesses, legal representatives, and other reliable sources.
Such information or referral shall not, by itself, establish jurisdiction. The Court shall independently assess the information received and determine whether there is a lawful basis for exercising jurisdiction and whether an investigation is justified.
A State Party may refer a matter to the Court in accordance with the Court's Rules.
The Court may also receive referrals or requests for investigation from lawful international bodies and organisations where permitted by this Treaty and applicable international law.
Before proceeding to trial, the Court shall determine whether it has jurisdiction over the case and whether the evidential and procedural requirements for prosecution have been satisfied.
Where the Court has established lawful jurisdiction, the refusal of an accused person to recognise the Court, attend proceedings, or participate in proceedings shall not, by itself, prevent the Court from determining the case, subject to the rights and safeguards established by this Treaty.
Where a person is outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Court and is not physically within the custody of a State Party, the Court may issue findings, judgments, warrants, orders, or sentences within the limits of its lawful jurisdiction.
A judgment or sentence against a person who remains outside the jurisdiction of the Court may be recognised or enforced only by a State or other authority having lawful jurisdiction to enforce it.
Where a person against whom a lawful judgment or sentence has been issued subsequently enters the territory of a State Party, that State Party may take lawful action to enforce the judgment or sentence in accordance with this Treaty, its national law, and applicable international law.
Nothing in this Article shall prevent the Court from cooperating with States that are not Parties to this Treaty or with international and humanitarian organisations where such cooperation is lawful and consistent with the purposes of the Court.