‘Always against the death penalty, except in the case of my father’

‘Always against the death penalty, except in the case of my father’

In February, we held our DPP lecture, entitled ‘Always against the death penalty, except in the case of my father’ at the Photographers’ Gallery in London. The lecture was held in conjunction with the exhibition: Roman Vishniac: Rediscovered and was delivered by Professor Philippe Sands, Professor of Law at University College London. Philippe discussed the history and development of international law and the death penalty in the context of the Nuremberg Trials, and his own personal experiences as advocate before many international courts and tribunals.

About Professor Philippe Sands QC

Philippe Sands is Professor of Law at University College London, a Barrister (and founding member) of Matrix Chambers and was appointed to the Queen’s Counsel in 2003. Philippe has authored 16 books on international law, including Torture Team and Lawless Word. He also authoredEast West Street, which won numerous literary awards including the 2016 Baillie Gifford Prize, 2017 British Book Awards Non-Fiction Book of the Year and 2018 Prix Montaigne. The book was accompanied by a BBC Storyville film, My Nazi Legacy: What Our Fathers Did. In 2018, Philippe was appointed President of English PEN, the worldwide writer’s association. In addition to his impressive literary achievements Philippe also presents BBC Radio 4’s show ‘The Ratline‘.

Philippe has extensive experience practicing international law and has appeared before numerous international courts, including the European Court of Justice and the International Court of Justice. He has also served as Specialist Adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology. In 2011, he was appointed by the UK Government as a member of the Commission on a Bill of Rights.