Higgins, Rosalyn (1937–)

English lawyer and judge. Name variations: Rosalyn Inberg, Dame Rosalyn Higgins. Born Rosalyn Inberg, June 2, 1937, in London, England; Cambridge University, BA, 1959, LLB, 1962; Yale University, JD, 1962; m. Lord Terrence Higgins (professor, economist, Conservative MP, 1964–97), 1961; children: 1 daughter, 1 son.

The 1st woman judge to be appointed to International Court of Justice in The Hague, interned with Office of Legal Affairs at UN (1958); served as visiting fellow at Brookings Institution (1960); was junior fellow in international studies at London School of Economics(1961–63, 1974–78); served as staff specialist in international law at Royal Institute of International Affairs (1963–74); was professor of International Law at University of Kent, Canterbury (1978–81), then London (1981–95); became Queen's Counsel (1986) and Bencher of Inner Temple (1989), specializing in public international law and petroleum law; practiced at various international tribunals, including European Court of Human Rights, Court of European Communities and International Court of Justice; served as president of Tribunal of International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes and as British representative to UN Committee on Human Rights (1984–95) as well as special rapporteur for new cases (1989–91); became associate of Institut de Droit International (1987), then member (1991); served as chair of Public International Law Advisory Board for British Institute for International and Comparative Law (since 1992); appointed judge in International Court of Justice (1995); writings include Problems and Process (1995), Terrorism and International Law (1997) and The Role of the International Court of Justice at the Turn of the Century (1999). Named Dame Commander of British Empire (DBE, 1995).