Justice Albie Sachs lecture (UCL)

Justice Albie Sachs: 'From Refugee to Judge of Refugee Law'

South African judge and freedom fighter Albie Sachs addressed a full house at the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre on 26 October.

Mr Sachs, who had retired after 15 years as a member of the South African Constitutional Court ten days before the lecture, spoke on the theme From refugee to judge of refugee law to mark the launch of his new book The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law, published by Oxford University Press.

Mr Sachs discussed what it means to be a refugee (having been one twice), and how, in his view, refugees should be regarded not as pitiable, but as active people who should immerse themselves in learning so that they have something to contribute to their home country when they return. He finished by discussing his involvement in drafting South Africas post-apartheid Constitution, and considering how ones life experience affects ones rulings as a judge.

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