British lawyer Dapo Akande has been elected to the United Nations International Court of Justice, securing a nine-year term as one of the court’s fifteen judges and delivering a diplomatic win for the United Kingdom.
Akande qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria before building a career in the United Kingdom. He is a professor of public international law, a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and an elected member of the UN International Law Commission. He has served as counsel and adviser in cases before several international tribunals, including the ICJ.
Akande said: “I am deeply honoured to be elected to the international court of justice. I am incredibly grateful to all the states that have put their faith in me. I pledge to serve with independence and to deciding 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.”
The election follows the 2017 defeat of Sir Christopher Greenwood, whose loss left the UK without a judge on the court for the first time. That outcome prompted a period of reflection on Britain’s standing at the UN and its record on ICJ advisory opinions.
The ICJ, often described as the UN’s top court, resolves disputes between states. Recent opinions have drawn attention to Israel’s obligations toward Gaza’s population, highlighting the court’s role in contentious international issues.
In 2016 the UN General Assembly voted 94-15 against a UK-backed resolution on the Chagos Islands, referring the matter to the ICJ. The court later ruled in favor of Mauritius, leading the current Labour government to negotiate a settlement that began under the previous Conservative administration.
Parliamentary approval of the deal remains pending due to objections from the Trump administration.
Lord Chancellor Alex Norris praised Akande’s appointment, stating, “At a moment when international law is under pressure Prof Akande brings the independence, legal rigour, judgment and breadth of perspective that the court needs. He would make a formidable contribution to its work.” He said the UK has been a steadfast supporter of the court: “We have accepted its compulsory jurisdiction. And we again encourage states that have not yet done so to consider accepting the court’s jurisdiction in accordance with its statute.”
