description Philippe Sands Overview
Philippe Sands is a British-French international lawyer, professor of law at University College London, and practicing barrister. He has appeared as counsel before multiple international tribunals, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, in cases concerning genocide, torture, and crimes against humanity. His 2016 book East West Street, which interweaves his family history with the origins of international criminal law, won the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. Sands has also written on climate litigation and human rights issues.
help Philippe Sands FAQ
What is Philippe Sands's East West Street about?
East West Street connects Sands's family history with the lives of jurists Hersch Lauterpacht and Raphael Lemkin. The 2016 book traces how the legal concepts of crimes against humanity and genocide emerged around Lviv and the Nuremberg trials.
What is the difference between genocide and crimes against humanity in Sands's work?
Genocide focuses on acts committed with intent to destroy a protected group, while crimes against humanity protect individuals from specified widespread or systematic abuses. Sands explores the tension between those frameworks through Lemkin and Lauterpacht.
Where does Philippe Sands teach international law?
Sands is associated with University College London, where his academic work centers on public international law. He also practices as a barrister and has appeared in major international courts and tribunals.
Which later book continued the historical investigation begun in East West Street?
The Ratline continued Sands's investigation into the Nazi era by examining Otto Wächter, a senior Nazi official who fled after the war. It combines archival research, family testimony, and international-law history.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
