Rosalyn Higgins

Rosalyn Higgins
source
Name	Rosalyn Higgins
Birth date	1937
Birth place	London
Nationality	British
Education	Girton College, Cambridge University of Cambridge Yale Law School

Rosalyn Higgins is a renowned British judge who has made significant contributions to international law. She is a former President of the International Court of Justice and has served as a judge on the International Court of Justice since 1995. Higgins has also been a professor at University College London and has written extensively on international law, including works such as Problems and Process: International Law and How We Use It. Her expertise has been recognized by institutions such as the American Society of International Law and the Institute of International Law.

● Early Life and Education

Rosalyn Higgins was born in London in 1937 and attended Girton College, Cambridge where she studied law at the University of Cambridge. She later pursued her graduate studies at Yale Law School, earning a Master of Laws degree. Higgins' academic background has been influenced by notable figures such as Hersch Lauterpacht and Robert Jennings, both prominent international law scholars. Her education has also been shaped by institutions like the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford.

● Career

Higgins began her career as a lecturer at University College London and later became a professor of international law. She has also worked as a consultant for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and has been a member of the European Commission on Human Rights. Higgins has been involved with various organizations, including the International Law Commission and the American Bar Association. Her work has been recognized by the British Academy and the Académie de Droit International.

● Judicial Career

In 1995, Higgins was appointed as a judge on the International Court of Justice, becoming the first British woman to hold the position. She served as President of the International Court of Justice from 2006 to 2009, succeeding Shi Jiuyong. During her tenure, the court heard notable cases such as the Avena case and the Whaling in the Antarctic case. Higgins has also been involved in the work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the European Court of Human Rights.

● Notable Cases and Opinions

Higgins has been involved in several notable cases, including the Nicaragua v. United States case and the Bosnian Genocide case. She has also written opinions on cases such as the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons and the Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory case. Higgins' opinions have been influenced by her understanding of international humanitarian law and human rights law, as reflected in the work of organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and Amnesty International. Her approach to international law has been shaped by the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Conventions.

● Awards and Honours

Higgins has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to international law, including the Balzan Prize and the Manley O. Hudson Medal. She has been recognized by institutions such as the American Society of International Law and the Institute of International Law. Higgins has also been awarded honorary degrees from universities such as University of Cambridge and University of Oxford. Her work has been acknowledged by organizations like the International Bar Association and the World Justice Project.

● Legacy

Rosalyn Higgins' legacy in international law is significant, with her contributions to the development of international law and her service as a judge on the International Court of Justice. Her work has been recognized by institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union. Higgins' influence can be seen in the work of organizations like the International Criminal Court and the Human Rights Council. Her commitment to international law has been inspired by the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. As a renowned judge and scholar, Higgins continues to shape the field of international law, influencing institutions like the World Trade Organization and the International Labour Organization. Category:British judges