Overview

The Lauterpacht Centre for International Law (LCIL) is a research hub within the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge dedicated to the study and advancement of international law. Founded in 1985 by Sir Elihu Lauterpacht as the Research Centre for International Law, it was renamed in 1997 to honour the scholarly contributions of both Sir Hersch Lauterpacht and Sir Elihu Lauterpacht. The centre aims to foster rigorous academic inquiry and to bridge scholarship and practice in the field of international law.

Purpose and activities

The LCIL promotes research in public and private aspects of international law and encourages exchange between academics, judges, practitioners and students. Typical activities include seminars and lecture series, research projects on contemporary legal questions, conferences and workshops, and support for postgraduate researchers. The centre frequently hosts visiting fellows and offers a forum where ideas can be tested and developed in conversation with practitioners as well as theoretical scholars.

Programs and resources

Key elements of the centre's work include sustained research programmes, a calendar of public events, and a visiting scholars programme that attracts researchers from around the world. It supports doctoral candidates and early-career researchers through supervision, research networks and opportunities to present work in progress. The LCIL also contributes to publication efforts and the dissemination of research findings to wider audiences, including policy makers and courts.

History and notable features

From its inception the centre emphasised a combination of individual and collaborative research into the law that governs relations between states, international institutions and non‑state actors. Its renaming in 1997 marked an institutional recognition of the Lauterpachts' enduring influence on modern international legal thought. The LCIL is integral to the Faculty of Law's international law profile and often collaborates with other university units, professional bodies and international organisations.

Importance and impact

The centre serves as a bridge between academic study and practical application. By convening scholars and practitioners, it contributes to debates on subjects such as treaty law, state responsibility, human rights, the law of armed conflict, and international dispute settlement. Events and publications originating at the LCIL have informed scholarship, legal argumentation and policy discussions beyond the university.

How to engage

  • Attend public lectures and seminars organised by the centre.
  • Apply for visiting scholar or fellowship opportunities when advertised.
  • Consult the Faculty of Law pages for information about programmes and upcoming events: Faculty of Law, Cambridge.
  • Explore research themes and outputs to learn more about developments in international law.

The Lauterpacht Centre remains a prominent institutional home for international law scholarship in the United Kingdom and internationally, continuing a legacy of legal research that combines historical depth with attention to contemporary challenges.