Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Dili, February 10th, 2017
Government pays respects to Sir Elihu Lauterpacht CBE QC LLD
It is with deep regret that the Government of Timor-Leste has received news of the passing of Sir Elihu Lauterpacht on the 8th of February 2017. “Sir Eli” was a giant in international law, with an illustrious career that spanned over 60 years in practice and academia.
The Government conveys its condolences to Sir Eli’s family and friends, particularly Lady Catherine Lauterpacht, sons Michael and Connor, and daughters Gabrielle and Deborah.
Elihu Lauterpacht was born in Cricklewood, London, on the 13th of July 1928, the son of Hersch and Rachel Lauterpacht. His father, the late Sir Hersch, played a primary, pioneering role in the emergence of the modern system of international law, a legacy continued and honored by Sir Eli through his work and through the founding of the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at the University of Cambridge.
Sir Elihu studied at Trinity College Cambridge, was called to the Bar in 1950 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1970. In his specialist area of international law he worked as an advocate, advisor, arbiter and judge. He was also a lecturer, reader and Honorary Professor of International Law at Cambridge University.
Sir Elihu’s many appearances before the International Court of Justice included his representation of Timor-Leste in the case “Questions Relating to the Seizure and Detention of Certain Documents and Data” which included public hearings at The Hague in January 2014. He advised the Government of Timor-Leste on matters regarding international law over several years and was deeply committed to seeing just outcomes for our nation.
Government Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, noted “Sir Eli was a remarkable human being. He was one of the world’s greatest intellects and a fierce and formidable advocate at law. And he was also a true gentleman, charming, kind and generous. The Government recalls his passion for justice, his monumental contribution to the development of international law and his abiding concern for the fair treatment of Timor-Leste. It was a great honour to have him serve our country and he and Lady Cathy will always be considered dear friends of Timor-Leste.”ENDS