NMT01-F024
Volume I Page XXIV
The tribunals may require that they be informed of the nature of any evidence before it is offered so that they may rule upon the relevance thereof.
The tribunals shall not require proof of facts of common knowledge but shall take judicial notice thereof. They shall also take judicial notice of official governmental documents and reports of any of the United Nations, including the acts and documents of the committees set up in the various allied countries for the investigation of War crimes, and the records and findings of military or other tribunals of any of the United Nations.
The determinations of the International Military Tribunal in the judgments in Case No. 1 that invasions, aggressive acts, aggressive wars, crimes, atrocities or inhumane acts were planned or occurred, shall be binding on the tribunals established hereunder and shall not be questioned except insofar as the participation therein or knowledge thereof by any particular person may be concerned. Statements of the International Military Tribunal in the judgment in Case No. 1 constitute proof of the facts stated, in the absence of substantial new evidence to the contrary.
The proceedings at the trial shall take the following course:
(a) The tribunal shall inquire of each defendant whether he has received and had an opportunity to read the indictment against him and whether he pleads "guilty" or "not guilty."
(b) The prosecution may make an opening statement.
(c) The prosecution shall produce its evidence subject to the cross examination of its witnesses.
(d) The defense may make an opening statement.
(e) The defense shall produce, its evidence subject to the cross examination of its witnesses.
(f) Such rebutting evidence as may be held by the tribunal to be material may be produced by either the prosecution or the defense.
(g) The defense shall address the court.
(h) The prosecution shall address the court.
(i) Each defendant may make a statement to the tribunal.
(j) The tribunal shall deliver judgement and pronounce sentence.
A Central Secretariat to assist the tribunals to be appointed hereunder shall be established us soon as practicable. The main office of the Secretariat shall be located in Nurnberg. The Secretariat shall consist of a Secretary General .and such assistant secretaries, military officers, clerks, interpreters and other personnel as may be necessary.
The Secretary General shall be appointed by the Military Governor and shall organize and direct the work of the Secretariat. He shall be subject to the supervision of the members of the tribunals, except that when at least three tribunals
