New College hosts colloquium on The Challenges of Prosecuting War Crimes

On Monday, 30th October, New College hosted a Colloquium on the highly topical subject of prosecuting war crimes.  The event, chaired by the Warden, was held in the McGregor Matthews Room to a packed audience.  The two guest speakers were Professor Dapo Akande KC and Professor Philippe Sands KC.  Professor Akande has recently been appointed Chichele Professor of Public International Law and is now a Fellow at All Souls College. He is a member of United Nations International Law Commission.  Professor Sands is a practising barrister, with extensive litigation experience before international courts – and the author of a number of best-selling books, including East West Street.

The Colloquium commemorated the former New College member, the first Lord Oaksey who was presiding judge at the International Military Tribunal at Nuremburg.  Professors Akande and Sands reflected on the heritage provided by that Tribunal, and on complex issues such as defining international war crimes, immunity for state leaders, the issues of evidence, and grey areas such as the legitimate aims of self-defence.

Later, a portrait of Lord Oaksey, acquired through the generosity of Old Member Nick Ritblat, was unveiled in the Warden’s Lodgings in the presence of the current Lord Oaksey.