Interview with H.E. Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud, Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Candidate to the position of Judge at the International Court of Justice

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
Welcome. My name is Mohamed Helal. I am the co-founder and co-editor-in-chief of the Arab Yearbook of Public and Private International Law, and it is my distinct pleasure, privilege, and honor to be here at the Permanent Mission of Jordan to the United Nations with His Excellency Ambassador Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud, who is Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and also a candidate for the International Court of Justice. I might add, he is running unopposed, and we are very much looking forward to his election to the bench about a month from now.

This is a great opportunity to speak with His Excellency and explore his views on international law, the Court, and his vision for the future of the international legal order. Ambassador, thank you so much for your time and for making space for us today.

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
Thank you, Dr. Mohamed, for giving me this opportunity. It is a great honor to be Jordan’s candidate for the position of judge at the International Court of Justice. For any international lawyer, it is the ultimate honor. If elected, I believe one must serve the Court in a way that truly upholds international justice and the rule of law. So thank you again.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
Of course. Ambassador, Oscar Schachter wrote many years ago about the “invisible college” of international lawyers. How would you introduce yourself to that invisible college?

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
First, my name is Mahmoud. I am a Jordanian diplomat and international lawyer. For the past 30–31 years, my career has been dedicated to international law. I’ve spent my life working on behalf of the rule of law and international justice. I served as legal adviser to the Jordanian government on various international legal matters, including multiple terms as legal adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I’ve represented Jordan in international negotiations for numerous bilateral and multilateral treaties, and have acted as counsel before international courts and tribunals—including the ICJ, the International Criminal Court, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, and the United Nations Compensation Commission.

I was also a member of the International Law Commission (ILC) for 16 years. Normally, one serves three terms—15 years—but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one year’s meetings were postponed, effectively extending the tenure. Over those years, I engaged deeply with the work of the Commission—first as a member, then as Chair of the Long-Term Programme of Work, which develops new topics for the Commission. I also served as Chair of the Commission in 2021.

This career has combined diplomacy and international law, a blend I think is crucial to the Court—balancing practical experience with doctrine and theory to support sound, balanced judgments.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
A truly distinguished career, Ambassador, which I’m sure makes you eminently qualified to join the bench. You mentioned your 16 years on the International Law Commission. How would you assess its work during your time? And how do you see its future?

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
When I joined, I was the youngest ever elected to the Commission—34 years old. I had the privilege to work alongside distinguished jurists such as Alain Pellet and Ian Brownlie. It was a tremendous learning experience.

At the time, the Commission focused mostly on traditional topics in international law. But over my three terms, we saw a shift toward more specialized fields—human rights, the environment, individual rights—reflecting the evolving nature of international law. The Commission showed a capacity for flexibility, even as its members remained generalists.

Its work is vital: although it does not create law directly, it lays the groundwork for states and organizations to transform its output into treaties or contribute to customary international law. The ILC’s dual mandate—codification and progressive development—remains critical and effective.

At one point, a secretary wondered whether we might run out of topics. But the reality is quite the opposite—international law continues to evolve, and there is a vast spectrum still to explore.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
It certainly seems they’ll miss your leadership. You mentioned Ian Brownlie earlier—were there any other jurists who had a significant influence on your career?

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
Yes, absolutely. I must first acknowledge the immense influence of Judge Abdul-Haq Al-Hassan. He was a guide and mentor, encouraging me early on to pursue a master’s degree in international law. I had the honor to work with him for many years on legal matters for the Jordanian government.

I also worked with Sir Arthur Watts, whose analytical clarity and legal reasoning I greatly admired. When I joined the ILC, a Japanese ambassador—then one of the Commission’s rapporteurs—provided invaluable guidance. His moderation, inclusive approach, and professionalism made a lasting impression on me.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
That’s wonderful to hear—and you’ll be pleased to know Judge Al-Hassan is also the Honorary Chair of the Yearbook’s Editorial Board. So we are in good company.

Ambassador, the ICJ is facing the heaviest workload in its history. As a future judge and current Permanent Representative, how can the General Assembly better support the Court?

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
It’s a multifaceted issue. First, the Court needs adequate resources. The current caseload is unprecedented—this wasn’t the situation 20 years ago. The Court has become a victim of its own success, in a way. More and more states trust it to resolve disputes, but that success comes with a heavy burden, especially on the judges.

With only 15 judges, each must review extensive evidence and documentation. Adequate staffing and support are crucial to ensuring thorough and fair deliberation.

Secondly, political support is essential. The General Assembly and states must back the Court—not just in word, but in action. That includes implementing judgments and respecting advisory opinions. If we believe in multilateralism and the UN Charter, then we must empower the Court accordingly.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
Absolutely. Now, stepping back a bit: the ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN, but over the last few decades, the international legal landscape has grown crowded, prompting concern about the fragmentation of international law. What’s your view of the Court’s evolving role amidst this growing complexity?

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
It’s a very important question. The issue of fragmentation has been studied—including in a well-known report by the ILC, led by Professor Koskenniemi.

In practice, I believe the concern is somewhat overstated. Courts generally defer to one another’s jurisdictions. While you may occasionally see diverging views, it’s rare for international courts to directly contradict each other.

Even quasi-judicial bodies—while not courts—can contribute to customary international law through their findings. Their mandates are limited, but they’re not in opposition to the ICJ’s role.

So while some fragmentation exists, I believe international law remains a coherent and unified body. Specialized courts serve important functions without undermining the primacy or integrity of the broader legal system.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
That’s reassuring for the future of the international legal order. Ambassador, looking ahead: if elected, how do you see yourself serving as a judge on the ICJ?

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
If elected in May, I’ll be the junior judge—so my first responsibility will be to listen, observe, and learn. It’s vital to understand the Court’s internal workings and dynamics before taking any strong positions.

That said, I will work to promote unity within the Court. Of course, judges will have differences of opinion—that’s normal. But where possible, we should strive to speak with one voice, especially on key legal principles. Divisions can sometimes be misinterpreted by states as uncertainty or inconsistency. So fostering consensus will be a priority.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
Understood. One final, more personal question: after a long diplomatic career—including postings in Singapore, Washington, and now New York—are you looking forward to moving to The Hague?

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
Yes, I was Ambassador in Washington before, and this is my third posting in New York as Permanent Representative. I will definitely miss it—especially the walk to the UN and the vibrant multilateral diplomacy that takes place here.

But I also look forward to this new chapter. Joining the ICJ is an extraordinary honor, and I’m ready to contribute in a different, but equally meaningful, way to international peace and justice.

Dr. Mohamed Helal:
Ambassador, I’m sure I speak on behalf of the entire diplomatic community when I say you will be sorely missed here. We wish you every success in the election and are confident that the Court will benefit greatly from your presence on the bench.

Thank you again for your time.

Ambassador Mahmoud Hmoud:
Thank you, Dr. Mohamed. It’s an honor to be here with you.