Rosalyn Higgins ’62 J.S.D Named Dame Grand Cross

Dame Rosalyn Higgins ’62 J.S.D has been named a Dame Grand Cross, the highest class of the Order of the British Empire, for “services to international law and justice.”

The citation reads: “Dame Rosalyn Higgins is recognised for her outstanding service to international law, human rights and the United Nations. Dame Rosalyn has made, since the 1960’s, an unparalleled contribution to the advancement of international law, and in particular to the settlement of international disputes, to the law of the United Nations, and to the development and practical implementation of the law of human rights. Her highly distinguished career has spanned a wide range of roles, including a 14-year term on the International Court of Justice, three of which she served as the Court’s President, introducing new measures directed at efficiency and modernisation. She was the first and only woman to hold this position.”

Dame Rosalyn was presented with the Award of Merit from Yale Law School in 1997. She is the author of several influential works on international law, including Problems and Process: International Law and How We Use It (1994).