PIL DPhil student Sotirios-Ioannis Lekkas reports on his ICJ traineeship 2017-2018

 

From 1 September 2017 until 30 June 2018, following my nomination by the Oxford Law Faculty, I participated in the Judicial Fellows (JF) programme of the International Court of Justice, the principal organ of the United Nations.  As part of the programme, my main responsibility was to act as a law clerk for a Member of the Court, H.E. Judge Peter Tomka. 

 

My experience at the Court was immensely rewarding as a result of working in an environment where international legal questions were avidly debated. The Court’s docket has been particularly busy this year. This gave me a valuable opportunity to research various questions of international law and obtain an valuable insight into the practical application of international law and the inner workings of the Court. Indeed, it was intriguing to observe how litigation strategies developed as the cases progressed through different procedural stages. Also, my general knowledge of international law was enhanced tremendously as a result of general discussions with my team and colleagues.   

 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Oxford Law Faculty and the Public International Law Subject Group for providing me with the opportunity and financial support to participate in the programme. Oxford’s continuing participation in the ICJ Judicial Fellows programme amongst only a handful of elite institutions is a clear attestation to its unique tradition in public international law.