Burnham hails UK lawyer who backed Chagos Islands giveaway and advised Corbyn Syria strikes were illegal as he is made a judge on international court

Published: 06:49 EDT, 4 November 2026 | Updated: 06:57 EDT, 4 November 2026 A British lawyer who acted against the UK in a legal efforts by Mauritius to take control of the Chagos Islands has been made a judge on the International Court of Justice after being championed by Andy Burnham.Professor Dapo Akande will be the first UK judge on the UN body in almost a decade, following a key election.The British-Nigerian legal scholar is currently professor of public international law and a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.But his appointment may raise eyebrows given his past work helping prise the Chagos Archipelago away from the UK and into the hands of Mauritius. In 2018 he represented Zambia in a case about the islands, formally the British Indian Ocean Territory, at the ICJ, arguing it was a case about 'international law obligations regarding decolonisation'.At the hearing in The Hague he rejected Britain's argument that the future of the islands was outside the court's jurisdiction. And the same year he provided then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with legal advice that UK air strikes against the brutal Assad regime in Syria were against international law. Professor Dapo Akande will be the first UK judge on the UN body for the first time in almost a decade, following a key election In 2018 Prof Akande (pictured in 2023) represented Zambia in a case about the Chagos Islands at the ICJ, arguing it was a case about 'international law obligations regarding decolonisation'Last night Mr Burnham said: 'This election is a clear signal to our partners that the UK is back on the world stage and ready to play our part in ensuring global stability and upholding the rule of law.'Professor Akande will bring integrity, legal rigour and independent expertise to the International Court of Justice and I am incredibly proud that he is representing the UK.'The ICJ is the United Nations' primary means for resolving legal disputes between different countries.Professor Akande qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria and has three decades of experience as an academic and legal practitioner.The campaign to appoint him to the ICJ began under Sir Keir Starmer's premiership. He will sit among the ICJ's 15 judges for at least nine years.Last night he said: 'I am deeply honoured to be elected to the International Court of Justice.'I am incredibly grateful to all the states that have put their faith in me.'I pledge to serve with independence and to deciding cases on the basis of a faithful and impartial application of the law.'I look forward to contributing to the ICJ's vital work in helping to resolve disputes by peaceful means, alongside the other colleagues elected today.'Last week Justice Secretary Alex Norris told the UN that Professor Akande's nomination by many countries. including Britain, was a sign of 'the respect he commands across the international legal community'.'Professor Akande brings the independence, legal rigour, judgement and breadth of perspective that the Court needs,' he said.'He would make a formidable contribution to its work.'