{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/government/news/uk-judge-takes-on-key-role-in-upholding-international-law-at-international-court-of-justice","content_id":"396d5145-478e-465d-b4b7-827c10540409","description":"Professor Dapo Akande elected as judge to the International Court of Justice.","details":{"attachments":[],"body":"<div class=\"govspeak\"><ul>\n  <li>Professor Dapo Akande elected as judge to the International Court of Justice following crunch UN vote </li>\n  <li>Leading international lawyer and academic received support from majority of UN Member States</li>\n  <li>Election underlines the UK’s commitment to the international rule of law as UK judge returns to Court after 9 years</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>A new UK judge, Professor Dapo Akande, has today been elected as a judge to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).</p>\n\n<p>In an ever more challenging world, Professor Akande will play a key, independent role in ensuring the Court continues to uphold the international rule of law. </p>\n\n<p>For almost a decade the UK has not had a judge in the International Court of Justice, but following a campaign backed by the Prime Minister, UK ministers and diplomats across the world, Professor Akande will now be a judge at the ICJ for the next 9 years.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"prime-minister-andy-burnham-said\">Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:</h3>\n\n<blockquote>\n  <p>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.</p>\n\n  <p class=\"last-child\">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.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<h3 id=\"professor-dapo-akande-said\">Professor Dapo Akande said: </h3>\n\n<blockquote>\n  <p>I am deeply honoured to be elected to the International Court of Justice. </p>\n\n  <p class=\"last-child\">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.” </p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<h3 id=\"foreign-secretary-ed-miliband-said\">Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: </h3>\n\n<blockquote>\n  <p>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.” </p>\n\n  <p class=\"last-child\">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.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>A Professor of Public International Law and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, Professor Akande is also an elected member of the UN International Law Commission.</p>\n\n<p>Originally qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria, and now one of the UK’s foremost international lawyers, with nearly three decades of experience as a scholar and practitioner, Professor Akande has built a career of global reach.</p>\n\n<p>He has acted as counsel, adviser and expert in cases before international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ.</p>\n\n<p>As an independent practitioner, he has advised governments from States across all five UN regional groups, as well as international organisations including the UN and the African Union.</p>\n\n<div class=\"contact contact\" id=\"contact_3939\">\n    <p class=\"govuk-body\">Media enquiries</p>\n\n\n    <div>\n        <p class=\"govuk-body govuk-!-margin-bottom-4\">\n          Email <a class=\"govuk-link\" href=\"mailto:newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk\">newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk</a>\n        </p>\n\n\n        <p class=\"govuk-body govuk-!-margin-bottom-4\">\n          Telephone 020 7008 3100\n        </p>\n    </div>\n\n    <p class=\"govuk-body\">Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.</p>\n\n</div>\n</div>","change_history":[{"note":"First published.","public_timestamp":"2026-11-03T18:41:21Z"}],"emphasised_organisations":["f9fcf3fe-2751-4dca-97ca-becaeceb4b26"],"images":[{"caption":null,"content_type":"image/jpeg","sources":{"s216":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de5d3bf7f4f0b29b67c/s216_fcdo-main-building.jpg","s300":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de48fa8f5490aff83b4/s300_fcdo-main-building.jpg","s465":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de48fa8f549069a6616/s465_fcdo-main-building.jpg","s630":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de4d3bf7f4f0743dc7c/s630_fcdo-main-building.jpg","s712":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de4e90e0710acb2557a/s712_fcdo-main-building.jpg","s960":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de4e90e0710be0354d7/s960_fcdo-main-building.jpg"},"type":"lead"}],"political":true},"document_type":"press_release","first_published_at":"2026-11-03T18:41:21+00:00","links":{"available_translations":[{"api_path":"/api/content/government/news/uk-judge-takes-on-key-role-in-upholding-international-law-at-international-court-of-justice","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/government/news/uk-judge-takes-on-key-role-in-upholding-international-law-at-international-court-of-justice","base_path":"/government/news/uk-judge-takes-on-key-role-in-upholding-international-law-at-international-court-of-justice","content_id":"396d5145-478e-465d-b4b7-827c10540409","document_type":"press_release","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2026-11-03T18:41:21Z","schema_name":"news_article","title":"UK judge takes on key role in upholding international law at International Court of Justice","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-judge-takes-on-key-role-in-upholding-international-law-at-international-court-of-justice","withdrawn":false}],"emphasised_organisations":[{"analytics_identifier":"D1315","api_path":"/api/content/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office","base_path":"/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office","content_id":"f9fcf3fe-2751-4dca-97ca-becaeceb4b26","details":{"acronym":"FCDO","brand":"foreign-commonwealth-development-office","default_news_image":{"high_resolution_url":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de4e90e0710be0354d7/s960_fcdo-main-building.jpg","url":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de48fa8f5490aff83b4/s300_fcdo-main-building.jpg"},"logo":{"crest":"single-identity","formatted_title":"Foreign, Commonwealth<br/>&amp; 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