About the Centre

Welcome to the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law

The scholarly home of international law at the University of Cambridge

Founded by Professor Sir Elihu Lauterpacht QC in 1983 the Lauterpacht Centre provides a forum for the discussion and development of international law and hosts a number of research projects. We are one of the specialist Centres of the Faculty of Law, and based in Cranmer Road, Cambridge, UK.

We aim to provide a framework and forum for critical and constructive thought about the function, content and working of law in the international community, as well as to develop an appreciation of international law as an applied body of rules and principles. A number of individuals associated with the Centre are actively involved in the practical development and application of international law.

The Centre is not involved in the formal teaching or supervision of students at the University as this is the responsibility of the Faculty of Law. However, the Centre Director, Deputy Directors and some of the other Fellows of the Centre, in their role as members of the Faculty of Law, are actively involved in teaching and research supervision.

The Centre provides regular lectures and events on topical and pressing issues of international law by leading academics and practitioners as well as conducting a number of its own research projects and providing a base for others.

The reception of visitors, particularly from overseas, is a key aspect of the Centre’s activity. Visiting academics and PhD candidates are welcomed for periods varying from eight weeks to a year.

The Centre's objectives are:

to serve as a discussion forum for current issues by organising seminars, lectures and meetings aimed at developing an understanding of international law;

to promote research and the publication of core research material;

to provide, in Cambridge, an intellectual home for visiting researchers of international law from around the world who wish to pursue their own research in an atmosphere that is stimulating and congenial to the generation and exchange of ideas;

to provide education and training programmes of the highest quality;

to maintain a library of archival and source materials relating to international law.