Congratulations to Emeritus Professor Christine Chinkin, appointed as Chair of the International Law Association, the first woman to hold this position, succeeding Lord Mance. The International Law Association was founded in Brussels in 1873. Its objectives, under its Constitution, are "the study, clarification and development of international law, both public and private, and the furtherance of international understanding and respect for international law". The ILA has consultative status, as an international non-governmental organisation, with a number of the United Nations specialised agencies.