Former Supreme Court Justice Madan B Lokur has been recently named the chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council. His term will run until November 12, 2028.
The announcement was made by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a communication dated December 19, confirming the retired judge’s immediate appointment to the position.
“I have the pleasure to appoint you, with immediate effect, as a member of the Internal Justice Council, in the capacity of chairperson, for a term ending on 12 November 2028,” wrote Guterres. Justice Lokur will lead a council composed of other eminent jurists and representatives.
The council’s members include Ms. Carmen Artigas from Uruguay, nominated by staff as a distinguished external jurist; Ms. Rosalie Balkin of Australia, nominated by management; Mr. Stefan Brezina from Austria, representing staff; and Mr. Jay Pozenel from the United States, representing management. Together, this team will oversee the UN’s internal justice framework to ensure fairness and accountability within the organization.
Justice Lokur, born in 1953, began his tenure as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on June 4, 2012. He served until December 30, 2018, retiring upon reaching the mandatory retirement age. In 2019, he broke new ground as the first Indian judge appointed to the Supreme Court of another nation when he joined the non-resident panel of Fiji’s highest court.
With his appointment to the UN council, Justice Lokur is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of the UN’s internal justice system. His legal expertise, cultivated through decades of distinguished service in India and internationally, makes him an ideal choice for this critical role.
Justice Lokur’s leadership is expected to strengthen the accountability and dispute-resolution mechanisms within the UN. This appointment also highlights his continuing contributions to the global judicial community, further cementing his legacy as a champion of justice and fairness on an international stage.
