Karen Lee

Supernumerary Fellow

It was my history teacher at the Church of England High School for Girls which I attended in Liverpool who encouraged me to think about applying to Oxbridge. I plucked up the courage to apply (no one in my family had attended university) after another teacher took a few prospective applicants on a short trip to Cambridge where she had studied. I fell in love with Cambridge and, not imagining that it could possibly be bettered, didn’t even visit Oxford. I still vividly remember my interview with John McMullen (who sadly died recently) and drawing myself maps to find the way from my room to the Porters’ Lodge, the interview room, and Dining Hall. At that time, my school had no tradition of sending students to Oxbridge, but there was one student from St Hilda’s studying law at Downing College whose advice I followed (as I too was interested in reading law, as well as history) by applying to Downing first and Girton second (another College with a strong reputation for law). I was fortunate enough to secure a place at Girton College to read law, matriculating in 1985 (Mary Warnock was Mistress at that time). Many long-lasting friendships were formed during my undergraduate years as together we tackled essay crises, debated issues, played sport (I was goal shooter in the College netball team), participated in societies, enjoyed and learned the value of community living, and navigated the ups and downs of student life. At the end of my graduation day in 1988, I remember having a last stroll down Honeysuckle Walk (one of my favourite places in College) never imagining that I’d be back.

Having discovered that my destiny probably wasn’t life in a big city law firm and having always been most interested in the more international aspects of law, I spent some time working at the Westminster-based London office of the European Commission at a time when the United Kingdom held its presidency, and the Maastricht Treaty was being negotiated. While I enjoyed my stint in London, I never envisaged living there long-term so when I saw an advert for a research post based in Cambridge at the Research Centre for International Law, I applied and was offered the job. Having generously been given a month to decide, I decided to take up the post. I have not regretted moving back to Cambridge and broadening the scope of my work to public international law more generally.

During my time at the Centre, its role has expanded (as have its premises) and my role has developed. I have edited a number of series of law reports (including the ICSID Reports with the late James Crawford) and am currently Joint Editor of the International Law Reports (ILR) with Sir Christopher Greenwood (formerly Judge of the International Court of Justice and now Master of Magdalene College – Chris was also my international law supervisor when I was an undergraduate). The ILR is the main publication of the Lauterpacht Centre, which is one of the specialist Research Centres of the Cambridge Law Faculty (having been renamed in honour of Sir Hersch and Sir Eli Lauterpacht, who were in their day both editors of the ILR). The Lauterpacht Centre for International Law is one of the world’s most stimulating and dynamic intellectual homes for research in international law and I have benefited from discussions and interactions with numerous visiting academics over the years (many of whom now hold senior positions in their own countries or on international courts).

Mistress and Vice-Mistress in 2019

The ILR is devoted to case-law, and I research and identify cases from international courts and tribunals and national courts which are important for the development of public international law. I read and analyse the judgments and try to distil the issues and what was decided in a written summary of the case which is published before the text of the judgment (as well as editing summaries written by others). Cases dealing with similar issues are grouped together in the same volume as far as possible, with as much jurisdictional reach as possible. I enjoy the challenge of getting to the heart and relevance of a case, and trying to follow the reasoning in the judgments, and to express this, and what was decided, clearly and concisely in writing. It is satisfying to play a part in making certain decisions more widely available to practitioners and academics alike (decisions are not always reported in national reports and some are available digitally only for a time on certain platforms). Cases can be more easily cited in court when they have a report citation. I have also been told that users of the Reports find that the summaries add value, and that the case selection in a volume can be helpful in this digital age when a sometimes overwhelming number of apparently relevant cases can be summoned from databases at the touch of a key. Cambridge University Press considers the ILR to be the ‘jewel in the crown’ of its international law collection and normally publishes six volumes per year in print (the series is also available digitally). My role in the field of public international law seems to satisfy my interests (I have also been surprised how useful my main A level subjects of History, French and Spanish have been) and suit my aptitude and personality (I have never been drawn to arguing cases before a court or lecturing to halls of students, for example). I also like to think that, since judicial decisions are a subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law, I am in my small way contributing to the mission of making known and upholding the rule of law and participating in the role that international law can play in bringing order to chaos in its rules-based system for international society.

Karen on graduation day

I reconnected with College through Wolfson Court. My department was nearby and had a dining arrangement with ‘Wolfie’, so I went there often for lunch. One day, when I happened to be on my own, Trevor Rayment (whom I knew through church and who was, I think, ViceMistress at that time) invited me to join the Fellows. I’ve never looked back. Wolfie lunches provided an oasis in busy and stressful working days. Excellent food and congenial company –how we laughed! I got to know the small group who lunched there regularly rather well (that group included Julia Riley – who succeeded Trevor as ViceMistress and who was also my former Tutor – and Wolfson Court’s wonderful Warden, Maureen Hackett). College sadly no longer has Wolfson Court, but I will be forever grateful to it for the part it played in my re-engagement with Girton and for the friendships which were formed there.

I became a Bye-Fellow in 2003 (I am grateful to Cherry Hopkins for her help in this when she was Secretary to Council); I remember Malcom Guite, our former Chaplain, being admitted to the Fellowship at the same time. I became an Official Fellow in 2004 upon becoming an Undergraduate Tutor. I became increasingly involved in College (sitting on Council and being involved in various committees, including chairing Chapel Committee, and helping with law admission interviews). I also became a regular diner at Fellows’ Tuesday served nights (thanks to the warm welcome from Marilyn Strathern who was Mistress at that time). When Julia Riley was

coming to the end of her term as Vice-Mistress, I was approached by a Fellow about standing for that role. As there seemed to be quite a lot of support for the idea (and I could not think of any good reason why not!) I agreed to my name going forward. As well as wanting to contribute to the Girton community from which I had benefited so much, I had (and still have) an enormous respect for Susan Smith (who had joined the College as Mistress in 2009). I felt that anything that I could do to support Susan in her role would be time and energy well spent for College; she has been a fantastic Mistress and we have been incredibly lucky to have her in post for thirteen years. I was elected by the Fellows as Vice-Mistress in 2014 for the three-year term and re-elected for a maximum further three years (although exceptionally I served for an extra year due to the pandemic, so stepped down in 2021).

While my academic job is mainly solitary, the role of Vice-Mistress was much more sociable so provided a good foil – sitting on Council, chairing committees, being involved in ceremonies, sitting on selection panels, presiding at/attending dinners and standing in for the Mistress at College and University events when she was unavailable, for example. Given that the Mistress is usually available (and the focus should always be on her), that emergency situations rarely arise, and following College tradition, the role is largely played out behind the scenes, its neutrality (given that no day-to-day running of the College or line management is involved), can be invaluable. Nevertheless, the role has the potential to play an important part in College life; the fostering of good relationships with all is essential. I have particularly enjoyed supporting the Mistress in executing her duties, which has included being used as a sounding board when that has been helpful to the Mistress, getting to know Fellows better (and providing a listening ear when needed), and the challenge of playing a mediating role in cases of conflict, as well as trying to find fair outcomes and constructive solutions in disputes in certain circumstances. My tenure as Vice-Mistress has coincided with some challenging times in College (tough decisions have been taken, there have been some tragic losses as well as a pandemic) but also with some very joyous times such as the 150th anniversary celebrations. One of my 2019 highlights was chairing the law panel comprising Lady Hale, Lady Arden, and Dame Rosalyn Higgins at the Festival weekend.

When I stepped down as Vice-Mistress, College very kindly organised a wonderful pudding party for me (as I’m known to love my puddings!). I was so touched by the number of Fellows who attended (people were only just starting to socialise again after the worst of the pandemic and the weather was dreadful), by the many messages of thanks I received, and by the Mistress’s kind speech. I was presented with a Photobook containing some highlights of my time in office and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I have really appreciated Julia Riley’s wise advice over the years (she was a tough act to follow), the warm support of the Fellows (and staff) and Susan’s excellent leadership (as well as her kindness, thoughtfulness and encouragement). I am still at Girton and a Fellow (although I am taking advantage of a break from College duties and planning to visit Singapore on a Faculty Exchange scheme now that Covid restrictions have lifted) and I hope to put some of the new skills and experience I have gained to good use in the future. Girton has played a significant role in my life, and I am grateful for the colleagues and friends (past and present) whom I have met through College (three of my godchildren – Grace, Miranda and Tomás – are in fact children of OGs). It is a special place, with a special community, on a special mission, of which I am glad to be a part.

Karen chairing the Girton 150 Festival Law panel of Honorary Fellows (L-R): Lady Arden, Lady Hale and Dame Rosalyn Higgins