Peter Nygh Award

The Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship is an award established to honour the late Hon Dr Peter Nygh AM, a leading international lawyer who was a former judge of the Family Court of Australia and an Australian delegate to the Hague Conference. The Internship was established with funds donated by the Nygh family and the Australian-Attorney General's Department. The award provides financial assistance to an Australian law student or graduate to complete an internship with The Hague Conference on Private International Law in The Netherlands. The Australian Institute of International Affairs, the International Law Association (Australian Branch) and Allens Arthur Robinson provide administrative support for this prestigious award.

2007 Winner

Zoe Justice is the inaugural winner of the Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship. The formal presentation of the award was held on Friday June 29 at The Australian Institute of International Affairs (New South Wales Branch) in Sydney. Special guests included the Attorney-General, The Hon Philip Ruddock MP and Hans van Loon the Secretary-General of the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private Law.

Zoe Justice has a strong background in and commitment to international law. After graduating from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Laws / Legal Practice (Honours) and a Bachelor of International Studies, Zoe worked as the Associate to the Hon. Justice Garry Downes AM, Judge of the Federal Court of Australia and President of the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal. In 2007 Zoe joined Baker & McKenzie Lawyers as an Associate working in Litigation, International Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

The Hague Conference on Private International Law is an inter-governmental organization with over 60 Member States. The Hague Conference aims for the 'progressive unification' of private international law rules. It develops and services multi-lateral legal conventions in a wide range of areas including commercial law and banking law, international civil procedure and child protection.

The International Law Association has over 50 branches worldwide and a growing membership of academics and practicing professionals with an interest in International law. Dr Nygh was a past president of the Australian Branch of the International Law Association.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs was established in 1933 as an independent, non-political body to promote an interest in and understanding of international affairs. The AIIA has branches throughout Australia and provides a forum for global discussion, debate and public lectures.