A Distinguished Authority in International Law
Distinguished Jurist of the International Court of Justice
Judge Xue Hanqin is a distinguished International Court of Justice jurist, renowned for expertise in international law and diplomacy.
A Leading Voice in International Justice
Introduction & Professional Overview
Judge Xue Hanqin is a highly respected jurist and diplomat, renowned for her extensive contributions to international law and global judicial practice. With decades of experience spanning diplomacy, legal scholarship, and international adjudication, she stands as one of the most influential figures in contemporary international jurisprudence. She has served with distinction as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), bringing deep expertise in public international law, treaty interpretation, state responsibility, and dispute resolution between states. Her professional journey reflects a rare combination of academic rigor, practical diplomatic engagement, and judicial independence.
Consumer Law
Family Law
Criminal Law
Drug Control Law
Principled Reasoning Grounded in International Law
Judicial Philosophy & Areas of Expertise
Judge Xue Hanqin’s judicial philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for the rule of law, state sovereignty, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. She emphasizes careful treaty interpretation, consistency with established international legal principles, and a balanced approach that considers both legal certainty and fairness. Her work reflects a commitment to judicial independence, clarity of reasoning, and the progressive development of international law.
Her areas of expertise include public international law, treaty law, state responsibility, international dispute resolution, and the functioning of international courts and tribunals. Through her judgments and scholarly contributions, she has played a significant role in shaping modern international jurisprudence.
Key national and international appointments
National Appointments
Judge Xue Hanqin has held several high-level national appointments within China’s foreign service, reflecting her deep expertise in international law and diplomacy. Most notably, she served as Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a role in which she was responsible for providing authoritative legal advice on matters of public international law, treaty negotiation and interpretation, state responsibility, and international dispute settlement.
International Appointments
Judge Xue Hanqin has held prominent international appointments that underscore her standing as a leading figure in global judicial practice. Most notably, she has served as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, where she has participated in the adjudication of complex legal disputes between states involving sovereignty, territorial boundaries, treaty and international responsibility.
