On Nov 15, 2022, Sun Xiangzhuang was elected in the first round of voting as a judge of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, becoming the first Chinese judge ever selected to the tribunal.
Since then, Sun has carried out his duties with dedication and composure, demonstrating the professionalism and sense of responsibility of Chinese legal practitioners within a diverse international legal system.
“I look forward to presenting the professionalism and commitment of Chinese judges on the international judicial stage,” Sun said, describing the global arena as an important platform to showcase judicial competence, responsibility and professionalism of Chinese judges.
The appointment, which runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2030, marked a milestone in China's participation in international judicial institutions and reflects growing international recognition of China's judiciary.
The United Nations Dispute Tribunal serves as the first line of justice for employment-related disputes within the UN system. Given the organization’s unique international legal status, such disputes cannot be brought before the courts of any single country. Instead, they are adjudicated within the UN’s internal justice system.
Sun Xiangzhuang takes the oath of office as a judge of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal before the UN Secretary-General. [Photo/court.gov.cn]
Sun noted that international judicial practice is often more complex than expected. The tribunal mainly follows common-law traditions while increasingly incorporating elements of civil-law systems. Existing legislation and precedents do not always provide ready answers to emerging issues arising in a rapidly changing international environment.
“In the face of new and emerging issues, it is both a practical and a legal challenge to draw on international treaties, customary international law, and the best practices of member states and to develop precedents in a creative way,” he noted.
The tribunal serves as a platform for judges from different countries to exchange ideas and collaborate. Actively listening to the reasoning approaches of various legal systems and understanding the cultural foundations behind different legal traditions also helps broaden perspectives in handling cases, he added.
With the participation of a Chinese judge, China’s judicial experience is increasingly being incorporated into international practices, while enabling the UN internal justice system to conduct proceedings and draft judgments in Chinese, one of its six official languages. Sun noted that, in the future, it is possible that some cases may be heard and decided in Chinese.
This development is a reflection of China’s growing international standing and the increasing influence of China’s rule of law.
A group photo of Sun Xiangzhuang (second from left) during working time with his colleagues at the United Nations. [Photo/court.gov.cn]
Encouraging young people with global aspirations, Sun emphasized the importance of building both professional expertise and strong English proficiency. “As one of the largest contributors to the UN, China remains underrepresented among international civil servants. There is a strong need for more professionals, including legal practitioners to take part,” he said.
