EJIL: Keynote

• Sands, Philippe

Abstract

This lecture was delivered at the European Society of International Law’s annual conference, which was held in Oslo in September 2015. Addressing the move to judicialization, the lecture touches on the function of international courts and tribunals in resolving disputes and contributing to the gradual development of international law and their role as social agents in the evolution of human consciousness and actions. Adopting a historical and personal perspective, the lecture identifies a number of areas for reflection at various international courts and tribunals and seeks to encourage the community of international lawyers to engage more actively with sensitive realities, in the spirit of constructive critique.