On Nov 17, 2025, at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Zhang Lingling, a judge of the Third Civil Division of the Supreme People’s Court of China, was elected to the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. As the only candidate from the Asia-Pacific region, she secured the position for a seven-year term beginning on July 1, 2026.

Reflecting on her election, Zhang said that the honor comes along with a profound sense of responsibility. “Many outstanding predecessors have set an example through their professionalism and dedication. I hope to carry that forward and present a positive image of Chinese judges through my work,” she said.

Established in 2009, the United Nations Appeals Tribunal is composed of seven judges based at the UN headquarters in New York. It primarily hears appeals against judgments of first-instance bodies such as the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, as well as appeals against decisions made by entities that have accepted its jurisdiction, including those related to the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund. Judges of the tribunal serve on a part-time basis, with three hearing sessions held each year.

Balancing domestic responsibilities with international duties is challenging. Yet Zhang sees the two roles not as competing, but as mutually reinforcing.

“Taking on challenging work always brings growth,” she noted. “My experience in domestic courts allows me to contribute practical perspectives and solutions in international settings. At the same time, what I learn at the UN tribunal can feed back into research and judicial practice at home.”

When asked about a case that left a lasting impression, Zhang recalled an ordinary administrative retrial case. The litigant spoke passionately about an invention—developed from readily available local materials—that could both reduce emissions and serve as a new construction material.

“At that moment, I saw hope in the litigant’s eyes,” she said. “It helped me truly understand the dedication to work and aspirations. A judge must not only make judgments based on facts and the law, but also safeguard people’s trust in justice, as well as their hope for life and the future.”

Talking about her vision and aspirations for work, Zhang said “I understand that there is a real person behind every dispute, a career, a reputation, a family, personal interests. As a judge, my decisions are always based on the facts and the law. I will ensure that every single judgment I author is independent and fair, and is not influenced by any external factors.”