New Director for BIICL in its 50th Anniversary Year

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Robert McCorquodale as its new Director. He takes up his position in January 2008, the year which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute.

Professor McCorquodale is Professor of International Law and Human Rights, and currently Head of the School of Law, at the University of Nottingham. His career in academia and in legal practice, both in the UK and his native Australia, has been as wide-ranging as it is distinguished, notably including academic positions with the University of Cambridge and the Australian National University, and in practice with leading law firms. Co-author of one of the leading texts on international law, his chief specialism is international human rights law, and he provides advice and training to governments, international organisations, corporations and groups around the world on issues of public international law.

He said: 'The Institute is one of the leading independent research centres for international and comparative law in the world. I am delighted to be joining it as it celebrates its achievements over the last half-century and formulates exciting plans for the future.'

The task of the Institute is to create a better understanding of law and influence its development on an international basis. Alongside its established programmes and specialist Forum activity, its priorities for research evolve each year in line with contemporary global developments and concerns, and the changing needs in legal practice.

Welcoming Professor McCorquodale, Institute Chairman, the Rt Hon Lord Bingham of Cornhill KG, said: 'Issues of international law and justice are being publicly debated to a greater degree than ever before. I am confident that Professor McCorquodale will continue to build the Institute's international reputation as being at the forefront of that debate'.