The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s primary judicial body headquartered in The Hague, has welcomed five newly elected judges. Among them are the first British judge in nearly a decade and Singapore’s inaugural representative. The results were announced following voting in New York on Tuesday.
New Judges and Their Backgrounds
Professor Dapo Akande, a member of Essex Court Chambers and the Chichele Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, marks the UK’s return to the court. This follows the 2017 re-election defeat of Sir Christopher Greenwood KC, ending Britain’s continuous presence since the ICJ’s founding in 1946. Akande also serves on the UN International Law Commission.
Rena Lee, Singapore’s first judge, is a former ambassador and seasoned diplomat with expertise in international law. She will begin her nine-year term on 6 February 2027. François Alabrune, France’s ambassador to the Netherlands, was also elected, succeeding fellow French national Ronny Abraham.
Re-elected judges include Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan and Phoebe Okowa of Kenya. Departing the court are India’s Dalveer Bhandari and Brazil’s Leonardo Nemer Caldeira Brant.
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Reactions to the Elections
UK Justice Secretary Alex Norris praised Akande as a “formidable contribution to [the ICJ’s] work.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted the election as a sign of the UK’s renewed global engagement. Singapore’s Minister for Law Edwin Tong SC described Lee’s election as a “strong affirmation of confidence” in her abilities, emphasizing Singapore’s commitment to international law, especially as a small state.
Akande pledged to “serve with independence and to decide cases on the basis of a faithful and impartial application of the law.” He expressed eagerness to contribute to the ICJ’s role in resolving disputes peacefully.
Court Composition and Representation
The five new judges fill a third of the ICJ’s 15 seats. Judges serve nine-year terms, with five positions up for election every three years. Other countries represented on the court include Japan, Uganda, Slovakia, China, Germany, Australia, Mexico, the United States, Romania, and South Africa.
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