In this episode, Tom speaks to Nickolas Eburne and Karin Arana Chacón – two of the current cohort of Judicial Fellows at the International Court of Justice.

2026 is a double anniversary year for the ICJ. It is 80 years since the first hearing held by the Court – but it is also 25 years since the founding of the Judicial Fellowship programme. In that time, more than 250 top legal students have been given the opportunity to work closely with the 15 judges of the ICJ – working on hugely consequential international cases. Each Fellow spends a year at the court – and former students are an eclectic mix of academics, authors and international arbitration experts – including the international Human Rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

Now, the Fellowship has launched an Alumni Association so that former Fellows can come together in The Hague and reminisce about their experiences.

Stories of Purpose is produced by The City of the Hague, and the Hague and Partners. Visit the website at www.storiesofpurpose.thehague.com for more news about some of the amazing organizations working in the international city of Peace and Justice.

Theme music: Dreams by the Sea by Black Rhomb.