David Baragwanath

The Honourable
Sir David Baragwanath
KNZM QC
Preceded by Antonio Cassese
United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Incumbent
Assumed office
2010
Justice of the Court of Appeal
In office
2007–2010
Personal details
Born 1940 (age 74–75)
Auckland

Sir William "David" Baragwanath KNZM QC (born 1940) has been the elected president of the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon since 2010.

Early life and education

David Baragwanath is born in Auckland in 1940. His father was The Very Rev Owen Baragwanath, OBE, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. He attended Auckland Grammar School, followed by University of Auckland Law School, as well as a Rhodes Scholar who earned a Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University.[1]

Career

David Baragwanath began his law career as a member of the lawyers’ syndicate in New Zealand. He assumed the tasks of prosecution and defense in major criminal cases, notably complicated murder and fraud trials.[1] Judge Baragwanath was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1983 and is a former president of the New Zealand Law Commission. At the time of his appointment to the Court of Appeal, he was the second longest serving High Court Judge based at the High Court at Auckland, behind Justice Williams. Judge Baragwanath is also a New Zealand member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. He has also been a member of the Court of Appeal of Samoa.

Baragwanath joined to the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon in March 2009.[1][2] In October 2010, it was announced Justice Baragwanath was appointed one of four appeal judges to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Judge Baragwanath became elected President of the Tribunal on 10 October 2011, following the retirement of Judge Antonio Cassese on grounds of ill health.[1] He is an overseas bencher of the Inner Temple in London.[2]

In the New Year Honours 2011 Baragwanath was appointed as a Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit for services as a Judge of the Court of Appeal.[3]

Other activities

In addition to his judicial work, Justice Baragwanath published articles on both national and international human rights issues, constitutional matters, the rule of law, and international judicial cooperation. He also taught at Cambridge University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Hong Kong, University of Manitoba[1] and the Netherlands Institute of Advanced Studies as a visiting scholar.[2]

Personal life

Justice Baragwanath has been married twice. He has four children. His current and second wife is the educationalist Susan Baragwanath.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Nashabe, Omar (11 October 2011). "STL’s Cassese: Resignation Likely Sign of Infighting not Ill-Health". Al Akhbar. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "President - Judge Sir David Baragwanath". Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "New Year Honours 2011" (14 January 2011) 2 New Zealand Gazette 55.

Sources