Law Society medal of excellence for ICC judge
The Law Society Centre of Justice and Law Reform has awarded its medal of excellence to Judge Nicolas Guillou of the International Criminal Court (22 September).
Presenting the award, Law Society President Rosemarie Loftus said the medal “recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and achievement in advancing fundamental rights, promoting access to justice, strengthening democratic institutions, and upholding the rule of law.
Outstanding
“In awarding this honour, the Centre of Justice and Law Reform acknowledges your outstanding contribution to those ideals through your distinguished service as a judge and your enduring commitment to international justice.”
President Loftus said that throughout his career – in the French judiciary, Ministry of Justice, in academia and since his election to the ICC – Judge Guillou has contributed extensively to the development of international criminal law.
“You have exemplified the principle that the rule of law must stand beyond national borders, and that accountability for the gravest crimes is essential to the protection of human dignity, human rights, and international peace.
“Your expertise in international criminal justice, humanitarian law, and human rights has informed legal debate well beyond the courtroom and has helped strengthen the understanding of the role that law can play in addressing the consequences of conflict and atrocity.”
President Loftus said that the award also “acknowledges the wider community of individuals and institutions whose efforts sustain the principles that the International Criminal Court was established to uphold.”
Crimes against humanity
She said the ICC “embodies the international community's determination that genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression should not go unanswered, and those responsible should be held accountable through law rather than through force.
“In recent years, international legal institutions have operated in an increasingly complex environment,” the president added.
“Throughout these challenges, you've remained steadfast in your commitment to judicial independence, due process, and the impartial administration of justice”.
The presentation was made in the Presidents Hall, at the beginning of Ireland and the EU – An Opportunity for Influence: Threats to the rule of law and adopting a commonplace approach to tech regulation (22 September), organised by the Law Society EU & International Affairs Committee.
Law Society Director General Mark Garrett opened the event.
Onstage for the presentation of the medal were Dr Brian Hunt, director of policy at the Law Society, Suzanne Scott (head of research at the Centre of Justice and Law Reform), and human rights specialist and member of the Law Society advisory board, Noeline Blackwell.
Standing ovation
Judge Guillou said he was “deeply honoured by the award” which he said, “could not be in a better place”.
His keynote speech on threats to the rule of law and democracy received a standing ovation.
- More coverage of Judge Guillou’s speech to follow on Gazette.ie