Remembering Former BIICL Director Lady Fox CMG KC

Lady Hazel Fox CMG KC

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lady Hazel Fox on the 12th of July 2025.

Lady Fox served as the Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law from 1982 to 1989, making history as the first female director of the Institute.

Throughout her tenure, she brought her characteristic energy and enthusiasm to the role, leveraging her extensive knowledge and teaching experience from Oxford, all while being supported by a dedicated, albeit small, team. She played a pivotal role in establishing various groups focused on pressing issues in international law and initiated a series of regular events, lectures, and conferences. A 2018 interview with Lady Fox recalls her time at BIICL in her own words.

When taking up the position of Director she also became the General Editor of the International and Comparative Law Quarterly (ICLQ), a position she held for another decade after stepping down as Director, and she remained an active member of the Editorial Board for many more years. During her time as General Editor she oversaw the progressive expansion of the ICLQ's coverage, including the inclusion of a regular section on European Community Law in 1989. Lady Fox's contribution to the ICLQ and to international law more generally is celebrated in an Open Access collection of the articles she published in the Journal.

Lady Fox was also an esteemed member of the Institut de Droit International, a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn, and an Honorary Fellow of Somerville College at the University of Oxford. In addition, she contributed her expertise to the International Law Association Committees on State Immunity, Diplomatic Protection, and Reparation for Victims of War Damage, while practicing as a Barrister at 4-5 Gray's Inn Square.

The Institute would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude for her invaluable service and unwavering support. Lady Fox will be profoundly missed, yet fondly remembered by the many friends she made at BIICL. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.