Legal academic elected as first UK International Court of Justice judge in a decade

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has picked the first British judge in a decade to sit on its bench. 

Professor Dapo Akande, who originally qualified in Nigeria, has nearly three decades of experience. He is a professor of public international law and a Fellow of All Souls College, as well as an elected member of the UN International Law Commission. He has acted as counsel, adviser and expert in cases before international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ. 

The ICJ, which has 15 judges, is the judicial organ of the United Nations, ruling on state-to-state disputes. It was established by the UN Charter in 1945, and judges are elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council. The UK had a judge in the court until the 2017 vote when Sir Christopher Greenwood lost his seat. 

Prime minister Andy Burnham said: 'This election is a clear signal to our partners that the UK is back on the world stage and ready to play our part in ensuring global stability and upholding the rule of law. Professor Akande will bring integrity, legal rigour and independent expertise to the International Court of Justice and I am incredibly proud that he is representing the UK.'

Akande, who will hold the post for nine years, said:  'I am incredibly grateful to all the states that have put their faith in me. I pledge to serve with independence and to decide cases on the basis of a faithful and impartial application of the law. I look forward to contributing to the ICJ’s vital work in helping to resolve disputes by peaceful means, alongside the other colleagues elected today.'

Foreign secretary Ed Miliband said:  'Everywhere I go around the world, people tell me how impressive Professor Akande is and we have been proud to support his campaign. I am confident that his legal expertise, independence and commitment to international law will make him an asset to the court and the international community.'

'This is a victory for the UK’s commitment to the rule of law and our ability to stand up for our values on the world stage.'

The ICJ is based in The Hague, Netherlands. It sits at the Peace Palace and is the only principal organ of the UN not based in New York. 

Five seats were up for election in the latest round, with judges from Brazil, France, and India whose terms are expiring chosing not to stand for re-election. François Alabrune from France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud from Jordan, Rena Lee from Singapore and Phoebe Okowa from Kenya were elected alongside Akande. 

Japan, Uganda, Slovakia, China, Germany, Australia, Mexico, the United States, Romania and South Africa also have judges in the ICJ.