Dapo Akande, public international law professor at Oxford, first qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria
The UK government has highlighted the appointment of Dapo Akande, an international lawyer and a public international law professor at the University of Oxford, as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the first in the UK for nearly a decade.
“I am deeply honoured to be elected to the International Court of Justice,” Akande said in a press release from the UK government. “I am incredibly grateful to all the states that have put their faith in me.”
The appointment, backed by most of the United Nations’ member states, is for a nine-year term. In his new judicial role, he will help the ICJ affirm the international rule of law.
“I pledge to serve with independence and to deciding cases on the basis of a faithful and impartial application of the law,” Akande said. “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.”
“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,” added Andy Burnham, UK prime minister.
More on Dapo Akande
The UK government’s press release provided more information regarding Akande. An independent practitioner who first qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria, he has garnered almost three decades of experience as a legal professional and as an academic.
He has served as counsel, adviser, and expert in proceedings in the ICJ and other international courts and tribunals. He has assisted the UN, the African Union, other international organizations, and the governments of states throughout all five regional groups of the UN.
Akande is an elected member of the UN International Law Commission and a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.
“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,” said Ed Miliband, UK foreign secretary, in the press release.
Support from the UK government
The UK government shared that the appointment followed a campaign supported by its prime minister, other government ministers, and diplomats worldwide.
“Everywhere I go around the world, people tell me how impressive Professor Akande is and we have been proud to support his campaign,” Miliband said in the UK government’s press release.
“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,” Burnham said.
“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,” Miliband added.
More United Kingdom law news
On Oct. 30, the Law Commission of England and Wales announced a new project aimed at reviewing the criminal law’s application to acts and offences concerning dead bodies and human remains, with a view to introducing potential reforms.
A working group of the UK’s Civil Justice Council recently released the second of two reports on the use and regulation of artificial intelligence for preparing court documents in civil proceedings, with recommendations regarding litigants-in-person, witness statements, and expert evidence.
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