 |
Rosalyn HigginsBritish international lawyer
Date of Birth: 02.06.1937
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career and International Law
- International Court of Justice
- Academic Career
- - Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics (1974-1978)
- Honors and Recognition
- - Member of the Institute of International Law
- - Chevalier of the French Ordre des Palmes Académiques (1988)
Early Life and Education
Rosalyn Cohen was born into a Jewish family in 1937. She attended Girton College, Cambridge University, earning an M.A. in 1959 and an LL.B. in 1962. She held a Harkness Fellowship from 1959 to 1961 and went on to Yale Law School, obtaining her J.S.D. in 1962.
Career and International Law
After her education, Higgins became a legal practitioner, receiving the rank of Queen's Counsel (QC) and being called to the Inner Temple bar in 1986. From 1996 to 2010, she served on the UN Human Rights Committee, earning respect for her dedication and expertise.
International Court of Justice
On July 12, 1995, Higgins was elected to the International Court of Justice, becoming the first woman judge in its history. She was re-elected in 2000 and served until 2009. Her service as President of the Court from 2006 to 2009 was a testament to her leadership and diplomatic abilities.
Academic Career
In addition to her role in the International Court of Justice, Higgins held various academic appointments, including:
- Specialist in International Law, Royal Institute of International Affairs (1963-1974)
- Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics (1974-1978)
- Professor of International Law, University of Kent at Canterbury (1978-1981)
- Professor of International Law, University of London (London School of Economics) (1981-1995)
Honors and Recognition
Higgins's contributions to international law have been widely recognized:
- Member of the Institute of International Law
- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1995 and Dame Grand Cross (GBE) in 2019
- Chevalier of the French Ordre des Palmes Académiques (1988)
- Balzan Prize for International Law (1945-Present) in 2007Publications and Legacy
Higgins is the author of several influential works on international law, most notably "Problems and Process: International Law and How We Use It" (1994). Her legacy includes her contributions to the development and interpretation of international law, particularly in the areas of human rights and the use of force.
