Prof. Liesbeth Lijnzaad the first Dutch judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

The International Tribunal for Law of the Sea adjudicates disputes related to the interpretation and application of the UN Convention on Law of the Sea. In 2013, the Netherlands applied to the tribunal to release the crew of the Greenpeace vessel Artic Sunrise from the Russian Federation. The judges ruled in favour of the Netherlands during this procedure.

Lijnzaad has worked for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1994, the year in which she obtained her doctorate from Maastricht University. She currently works as a legal advisor for the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2006, she became the head of the Department of International Law at the ministry. Her responsibilities include representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the International Court and at the International Tribunal for Law of the Sea.

Prof. Hildegard Schneider, dean of the Faculty of Law: “We are very proud that this experienced diplomat and great researcher is appointed at this tribunal. And of course it’s also very special that a female judge is offered this position. I will definitely be attending the installation ceremony in Hamburg, probably together with a few more colleagues from Maastricht.”

Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders congratulates Lijnzaad on her appointment. ‘It is a well-deserved crown on her career, but it will also be an immense challenge.’