Oxford professor Dapo Akande has been elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), returning a UK judge to the world court after almost a decade.

He was elected on Tuesday 3 November by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, with the support of a majority of UN member states. He will serve a nine-year term, covering 2027 to 2036, at the court in The Hague, which settles disputes between states and gives advisory opinions.

The Foreign Office said the UK has not had a judge on the court for almost a decade. The election followed a campaign backed by the Prime Minister, UK ministers and diplomats around the world, and Professor Akande received 43 nominations from national groups in July.

"Incredibly proud"

Prime Minister Andy 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."

Professor Akande said: "I am deeply honoured to be elected to the International Court of Justice. I pledge to serve with independence and to deciding cases on the basis of a faithful and impartial application of the law."

Akande is Chichele Professor of Public International Law at Oxford and a Fellow of All Souls College. He is also an elected member of the UN International Law Commission and a barrister at Essex Court Chambers. Originally qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria, he has nearly three decades of experience, and has acted as counsel, adviser and expert before international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ.