The Influence of International Lawyers
Jéssica Aplugi Pinto
s3081303
Word Count: 986
Introduction
When Ghana gained its independence in 1957 it relied heavily on its legal advisors ‘in
the formulation and execution’ of Ghana’s foreign policy. 1 For example, they played an
important role in strengthening its political and security relations with Togo. 2 In contrast,
Russia’s foreign policy is particularly shaped by President Putin and a small elite within the
Kremlin, suggesting the minimal role of legal experts in shaping Russia’s foreign policy. 3
Although international governmental lawyers play an important role within the international
legal system,4 their influence within governments varies widely. The following question
therefore arises:
What factors affect the influence of international lawyers within their government?
Firstly, this paper will attempt to define the term ‘influence’, creating a better
understanding of the scope of this paper. Subsequently, the different factors impacting the
influence of international lawyers within their government will be explained. This paper will
ultimately argue that although it has been suggested that the impact of international lawyers
within their government depends mostly on their expertise and skills, many other factors play
a significant role.
What does ‘influence’ mean?
Before analysing what factors affect the influence of international lawyers, the term
‘influence’ must be defined, as each interpretation affects the factors influencing international
lawyers' roles. In addition, how influence takes form is closely related to the lawyer’s
1
Emmanuel A Addo, ‘The Role of the Legal Adviser in the Conduct of Ghana’s International Relations from
Independence to the Present’ in UN Office of Legal Affairs (ed), Collection of essays by legal advisers of States,
legal advisers of international organizations and practitioners in the field of international law (United Nations
1999) 9, 26.
2
ibid 23.
3
Alexander Graef, ‘Influential or Irrelevant? The Role of Foreign Policy Think Tanks in Russia’ in Aldo Ferrari
& Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti (eds), Russia’s Foreign Policy: The Internal and International Link (Ledizioni
LediPublishing 2021) 35.
4
Sir Michael Wood, ‘Legal Advisers’ in Andraž Zidar & Jean-Pierre Gauci (eds), The Role of Legal Advisers in
International Law (Brill Nijhoff 2017) 61; Addo (n 1) 4.
Jéssica Aplugi Pinto
s3081303
Word Count: 986
Introduction
When Ghana gained its independence in 1957 it relied heavily on its legal advisors ‘in
the formulation and execution’ of Ghana’s foreign policy. 1 For example, they played an
important role in strengthening its political and security relations with Togo. 2 In contrast,
Russia’s foreign policy is particularly shaped by President Putin and a small elite within the
Kremlin, suggesting the minimal role of legal experts in shaping Russia’s foreign policy. 3
Although international governmental lawyers play an important role within the international
legal system,4 their influence within governments varies widely. The following question
therefore arises:
What factors affect the influence of international lawyers within their government?
Firstly, this paper will attempt to define the term ‘influence’, creating a better
understanding of the scope of this paper. Subsequently, the different factors impacting the
influence of international lawyers within their government will be explained. This paper will
ultimately argue that although it has been suggested that the impact of international lawyers
within their government depends mostly on their expertise and skills, many other factors play
a significant role.
What does ‘influence’ mean?
Before analysing what factors affect the influence of international lawyers, the term
‘influence’ must be defined, as each interpretation affects the factors influencing international
lawyers' roles. In addition, how influence takes form is closely related to the lawyer’s
1
Emmanuel A Addo, ‘The Role of the Legal Adviser in the Conduct of Ghana’s International Relations from
Independence to the Present’ in UN Office of Legal Affairs (ed), Collection of essays by legal advisers of States,
legal advisers of international organizations and practitioners in the field of international law (United Nations
1999) 9, 26.
2
ibid 23.
3
Alexander Graef, ‘Influential or Irrelevant? The Role of Foreign Policy Think Tanks in Russia’ in Aldo Ferrari
& Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti (eds), Russia’s Foreign Policy: The Internal and International Link (Ledizioni
LediPublishing 2021) 35.
4
Sir Michael Wood, ‘Legal Advisers’ in Andraž Zidar & Jean-Pierre Gauci (eds), The Role of Legal Advisers in
International Law (Brill Nijhoff 2017) 61; Addo (n 1) 4.
