Manfred Lachs
Encyclopedia
Manfred H. Lachs was a Polish
diplomat
and jurist
who greatly influenced in the development of international law
after World War II
.
where he earned a doctorate in Laws (1937). Right after his studies, he started working for the Consular Academy of Vienna
and afterwards in the London School of Economics
. Lachs was drafted in the army and throughout his military service he was advisor to the Polish government.
Before his career turned toward international laws, he filled many judiciary posts in the Polish government such as Poland's Foreign Affairs director of the Department of treaties and legal juridiction (1947-1960) and prime minister's special advisor (1960-1967). During the Paris' Peace conference
of 1946, Lachs stood for his country as a delegate. He later became a professor of international law at the University of Warsaw
(1952-1993), and served as a member of the Polish delegation of the general assembly of the United Nations
.
Afterwards, he became a judge on the International Court of Justice
, and eventually became one of the longest-serving judges there, working from 1967 until 1993. During his stay as a judge to the International Court, he presided it from 1973 to 1976. He wrote The Law of Outer Space: An Experience in Contemporary Law Making in 1972, and the Teacher in International Law is 1982.
The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) awarded its Honorary Fellowship 1982
.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and jurist
Jurist
A jurist or jurisconsult is a professional who studies, develops, applies, or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage...
who greatly influenced in the development of international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Life
He attended the Cracow Jagiellonian UniversityJagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
where he earned a doctorate in Laws (1937). Right after his studies, he started working for the Consular Academy of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and afterwards in the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. Lachs was drafted in the army and throughout his military service he was advisor to the Polish government.
Before his career turned toward international laws, he filled many judiciary posts in the Polish government such as Poland's Foreign Affairs director of the Department of treaties and legal juridiction (1947-1960) and prime minister's special advisor (1960-1967). During the Paris' Peace conference
Peace conference
A peace conference is a diplomatic meeting where representatives of certain states, armies, or other warring parties converge to end hostilities and sign a peace treaty....
of 1946, Lachs stood for his country as a delegate. He later became a professor of international law at the University of Warsaw
University of Warsaw
The University of Warsaw is the largest university in Poland and one of the most prestigious, ranked as best Polish university in 2010 and 2011...
(1952-1993), and served as a member of the Polish delegation of the general assembly of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Afterwards, he became a judge on the International Court of Justice
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
, and eventually became one of the longest-serving judges there, working from 1967 until 1993. During his stay as a judge to the International Court, he presided it from 1973 to 1976. He wrote The Law of Outer Space: An Experience in Contemporary Law Making in 1972, and the Teacher in International Law is 1982.
The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) awarded its Honorary Fellowship 1982
Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition
After his death, the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Competition was named in his honour by the International Institute of Space LawInternational Institute of Space Law
The International Institute of Space Law was founded in 1960 as a spin-off from the International Astronautical Federation.The purposes and objectives of the Institute include the cooperation with appropriate international organisations and national institutions in the field of space law and the...
.