Philippe Couvreur


Philippe Couvreur, born 29 November 1951 in Schaerbeek, Belgium), is a jurist specialized in international law. Since 2000, he served as the Registrar of the International Court of Justice in The Hague until 1 July 2019.

Education

After a classical education at the Collège Jean XXIII in Brussels, Philippe Couvreur studied law at Notre-Dame de la Paix University in Namur and at the Université catholique de Louvain, and international and European law at King's College London, at the Complutense University of Madrid and at the Université catholique de Louvain. He also studied Thomist philosophy in this latter university. Philippe Couvreur speaks five languages fluently.

Professional career

After working in the legal department of the European Commission, Philippe Couvreur held several legal positions at the International Court of Justice successively, including the position of Principal Legal Secretary.
Beginning in February 2000, he served as the Registrar of the International Court of Justice, for which post he was re-elected twice for a seven years mandate. In that capacity, he played an active role in fifty-one cases.
He retired on 1 July 2019.

Academic career

Jurist, Couvreur taught European and international law in numerous universities and academies, in the capacity of:
He has also been a speaker at numerous colloquiums, conferences and seminars, including the:
Philippe Couvreur is also a Corresponding Member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, as well as a member of various other learned societies. He holds various decorations, including notably Commander by Number of the Orden de Isabel la Católica and of the Orden del Mérito civil, Officer of the Légion d'honneur, as well as Grand Officer in the Order of Leopold.

Lectures