Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria was used to select Dapo Akande KC to represent Britain at the International Court of Justice in the 2026 election.

Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration from each contracting State form "National Groups". Under the International Court of Justice (ICJ) statute, national groups are entitled to nominate candidates for election to the ICJ and should consult its highest court of justice and academia before doing so.

The independent UK National Group intends to nominate Professor Dapo Akande as the UK candidate for the 2026 ICJ election.  Professor Akande was selected following a robust selection process based on merit which is independent of Government.

The UK Government is delighted to support Professor Dapo Akande's nomination. Professor Akande is an elected member of the International Law Commission and a renowned legal scholar and practitioner. He is an outstanding candidate who would make a formidable judge on the ICJ.  Professor Akande's nomination reflects the UK's firm commitment to international justice, human rights and the international rule of law.