Sa Sovan will take over as the national co-lawyer for Khieu Samphan in light of Say Bory's resignation due to ill health.

Sa received his doctorate from Paris II University of Laws and has been a member of the Cambodian Bar Association since 2001. He is also a member of the Bar Council. According to a release from the court, Sa has published widely in both French and Khmer on legal issues involving criminal procedure, international law and commercial law.

Sa will join forces with Khieu's international lawyer, the controversial Jacques Verges.