Sir Michael is a member of the UN International Law Commission. He was the principal Legal Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office between 1999 and 2006. During 35 years as a lawyer in the FCO, he attended many international conferences, including the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. He spent three years at the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations in New York, dealing chiefly with Security Council matters. He was Agent for the United Kingdom for a number of years before the European Commission and Court of Human Rights, and UK Agent in cases before the International Court of Justice, as well as in proceedings before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and arbitral tribunals.
Law and Rights
United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) are most important at an international level and yet they can be difficult to interpret. They are not treaties. Understanding of the proceedings at the Council prior to the resolution is essential to reach a proper interpretation. Furthermore, they are are not subjected to the sort of detailed examination that accompanies the enactment of national legislation. Pressures of time and politics are also in play. For an expert view of how interpretation should be approached see:
Michael C. Wood - Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 1998 - Interpretation of Security Council Resolutions
and for a video presentation see - Michael C. Wood on the Interpretation of UN Security Council Resolutions
Sir Michael Wood QC - 20 Essex Street
- Extending British Military Action To Syria ~ The Government's Case
The government has presented its case for extending British military action to Syria in its effort, along with other nations, to deal with the threat to international security posed by Islamic State (ISIL). Let's recall that the United Nations...
- A Global And Unprecedented Threat To International Peace And Security - Unscr 2249 (2015)
Updated 26th November: Islamic State" (IS) claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris on Friday 13th November - Reuters 14th November. At the time, the President of France described the attacks as "an act of war." The United Nations Security...
- Detention By British Forces In Afghanistan
Armed Forces of the United Kingdom have operated in Afghanistan since 2001. They do so under the umbrella of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). It is a very lengthy and controversial commitment which has cost many British...
- Lord Neuberger's Timely Comment ...
In a speech prepared before the recent comments made by Ministers about pulling out of the European Court of Human Rights, the President of the Supreme Court (Lord Neuberger) issued a timely reminder that the United Kingdom is bound by other internationally...
- Supreme Court Quashes Orders Against Taliban And Al Qaida
The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1267 on 15th October 1999. Subsequent resolutions have also been passed - e.g. UNSCR 1333 was passed in 2000 to freeze assets of Al Qaida. Resolution 1267 was aimed at ?the Afghan faction known as...
Law and Rights
Understanding UN Security Council Resolutions
Michael C. Wood - Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 1998 - Interpretation of Security Council Resolutions
and for a video presentation see - Michael C. Wood on the Interpretation of UN Security Council Resolutions
Sir Michael Wood QC - 20 Essex Street
- Extending British Military Action To Syria ~ The Government's Case
The government has presented its case for extending British military action to Syria in its effort, along with other nations, to deal with the threat to international security posed by Islamic State (ISIL). Let's recall that the United Nations...
- A Global And Unprecedented Threat To International Peace And Security - Unscr 2249 (2015)
Updated 26th November: Islamic State" (IS) claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris on Friday 13th November - Reuters 14th November. At the time, the President of France described the attacks as "an act of war." The United Nations Security...
- Detention By British Forces In Afghanistan
Armed Forces of the United Kingdom have operated in Afghanistan since 2001. They do so under the umbrella of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). It is a very lengthy and controversial commitment which has cost many British...
- Lord Neuberger's Timely Comment ...
In a speech prepared before the recent comments made by Ministers about pulling out of the European Court of Human Rights, the President of the Supreme Court (Lord Neuberger) issued a timely reminder that the United Kingdom is bound by other internationally...
- Supreme Court Quashes Orders Against Taliban And Al Qaida
The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1267 on 15th October 1999. Subsequent resolutions have also been passed - e.g. UNSCR 1333 was passed in 2000 to freeze assets of Al Qaida. Resolution 1267 was aimed at ?the Afghan faction known as...