The African Court for Human and Peoples' Rights, one of the main organs designed to deal with human rights abuses on the African continent, is struggling to see the light of day. Commentators are suggesting it could only be formed next year, more than 12 months after its intended establishment. "We may have in place significant principles, but the mechanisms still need to be worked out," says Brian Spilg, the human rights convenor of the General Council of the Bar of South Africa.