New Attorney General vows steadfast commitment to international law

SHOTS Desk · Tue · 20 Oct 2026 · 13:31 · Reported

The UK's new Attorney General, sworn in at the Royal Courts of Justice on the morning of the speech, used her first address in the role to argue that international law has direct, practical consequences for people's everyday lives.

Speaking at the London Conference on International Law 2026, she said the government is steadfast in its commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Court of Justice, the UN, and to multilateral treaties.

She argued that Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which she said contravened international law, had raised oil prices, household bills and mortgage rates. She said more than 400 commercial vessels pass through the Dover Strait each day under rights guaranteed by UNCLOS.

She also pointed to the Chicago Convention as the legal basis for international civil aviation, and to treaty arrangements that allow Eurostar services and mutual recognition of driving licences across borders.

On criminal justice, she said internationa

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New Attorney General vows steadfast commitment to international law · SHOTS