James Crawford and the Australian Government


This article by two international lawyers advising the Australian Government focuses on the cases before international courts and tribunals in which Professor Crawford appeared as counsel on behalf of the Australian Government including the Southern Bluefin Tuna Cases, the East Timor Case, the Whaling in the Antarctic Case and the Certain Documents and Data Case. The article also covers advice Professor Crawford provided to the Australian Government both in the course of those cases and on other matters such as compulsory pilotage in the Torres Strait. To paint the full picture, mention also is made of a limited number of matters earlier in his career in which he acted against Australia. The article illuminates Professor Crawford’s role as adviser, counsel and advocate for Australia across the full breadth of international law, from law of the sea and international environmental law, to the law on diplomatic protection and the law of treaties.