Peter Bekker

Professor Peter Bekker is a prominent academic and legal practitioner specializing in international law, arbitration, and maritime boundary disputes. He holds a professorial position and has served as adjunct faculty at Columbia Law School. His expertise spans international investment law, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the law of the sea. He advises governments and international organizations on sovereign disputes, environmental law, and treaty negotiations. Bekker earned his doctoral degree from Leiden University and an LLM from Harvard Law School.

Education:

• Doctor of Laws, Leiden University (1994)
• Master of Laws, Harvard University (1991)

Research Interests: Professor Bekker’s work focuses on international arbitration, the ICJ, maritime boundaries, and the legal status of intergovernmental organizations. His recent scholarship addresses state responsibility, sustainable energy governance, and transparency in maritime delimitation. He has contributed to high-profile cases, including maritime disputes and treaty negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism.

Awards:

• Burton Award for Legal Achievement (2005)
• New York 'Super Lawyer' in International and Alternative Dispute Resolution (2006–present)
• Featured in Who’s Who in Public International Law (2007)

Professional Roles: Bekker is a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and holds leadership positions in organizations such as the American Society of International Law and the International Law Association. He advises clients in the extractive industries on international legal issues and represents sovereign states in dispute resolution.

Labs/Teams: His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to international law, leveraging expertise in civil law, common law, and transnational legal frameworks. He collaborates with institutions like the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.