History

On October 10, 1873, The Association for the Reform and Codification of the Law of Nations was created in Brussels—in 1895, it took the name The International Law Association (Association de droit international).

In 1900, the 19th Conference of the International Law Association was held in Rouen, where the immunity of private property at sea from seizure was discussed.

In 1912, the 27th Conference of the International Law Association was held in Paris under the chairmanship of Edouard Clunet.

On March 4, 1925, the “Association internationale de droit (Branche française)” was founded in Paris. In 1966, it took on its current name, “Association de droit international – Branche française” (International Law Association – French Branch). Its purpose is “the reform and codification of the law of nations, the unification of private law, in particular maritime, commercial and aviation law, and generally all studies of public and private international law.” The association, which initially had around twenty members, was founded by Léopold DOR, a lawyer at the Marseille Bar, based on the ADI/ILA maritime law committee, of which he was a member. The association’s headquarters were established at 73 Boulevard Haussmann in Paris (headquarters of the Comité Central des Armateurs de France, of which Léopold DOR was Secretary General). Léopold DOR was the first president of the association, with Paul GOVARE, an honorary lawyer specializing in maritime law, being appointed honorary president. Its Executive Committee included Henry FROMAGEOT, legal advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professors Ambroise COLIN, private law expert, Albert DE GEOUFFRE DE LA PRADELLE, public law expert, Georges RIPERT, private law expert, Charles LYON-CAEN, private law expert, and the Secretary General of the Central Committee of Shipowners, Jacques MARCHEGAY. Marguerite HALLER, who would become the first woman to preside over a court of appeal, was the association’s deputy secretary general.

In 1935, Prof. Albert DE GEOUFFRE DE LA PRADELLE was elected president, while Jacques MARCHEGAY was elected secretary general, with Pierre-Olivier LAPIE, a lawyer who would become Minister of National Education after World War II, as his deputy.

In 1936, the French Branch organized the 39th Conference of the International Law Association at the Court of Cassation, with Prof. Albert de LA PRADELLE becoming, in accordance with tradition, its president for two years.

In 1951, James-Paul GOVARE, a lawyer at the Paris Court of Appeal, was elected president of the association, and Raymond DE LA PRADELLE became its secretary general. Marcelle KRAEMER-BACH, a lawyer and leading figure in French feminism, was the first woman to be elected vice-president, a position she still held at the end of the 1980s.

In 1965, Professor Berthold GOLDMAN, a private law specialist, succeeded Professor Henri BATIFFOL, also a private law specialist, as president of the French Branch. The association’s headquarters were moved to 28, rue Saint-Guillaume, at the French Center for Comparative Law. Professor André FRANÇON became secretary general, with Professor and lawyer Jean-Denis BREDIN as his deputy.

In 1967, Professor Suzanne BASTID, a publicist, joined the Bureau, along with Pierre BELLET, then president of the Paris Court of Appeal (who would later become First President of the Court of Cassation), Jean LISBONNE, lawyer, and Eugène PEPIN, vice-president of the Air and Space Law Society.

In 1971, Professor Yvon LOUSSOUARN was elected president of the French Branch and Professor David RUZIÉ secretary general (he would later become vice-president of the association from 2000 to 2021, then honorary vice-president). Mr. Jean-Pierre ECK became treasurer of the association, a position he held until 2014.

In 1981, Jean LISBONNE was elected president of the association. Prof. Jacqueline DUTHEIL DE LA ROCHÈRE became secretary general of the association.

In 1984, the French Branch of the ADI/ILA organized the 61st Conference of the International Law Association at the Sofitel Hotel in Paris.

In January 1986, Prof. Michel VIRALLY was elected president of the French Branch after Jean LISBONNE became president of the ILA. In January 1989, Prof. Jacqueline DUTHEIL DE LA ROCHÈRE was elected Executive Vice President to serve as interim president due to the illness of President Michel VIRALLY. Prof. Emmanuel GAILLARD succeeded him as Secretary General.

In June 1989, following the death of Michel VIRALLY, Mr. Gilbert GUILLAUME, judge at the International Court of Justice, of which he would later become president, was elected president of the association. During President Guillaume’s term of office, Prof. Emmanuel GAILLARD and Prof. Catherine KESSEDJIAN succeeded each other as Secretary General, followed by Mr. Dominique HASCHER and Prof. François-Xavier TRAIN.

In 2014, Prof. Catherine KESSEDJIAN, a private law specialist, was elected President, while Prof. Franck LATTY, a public law specialist, became Secretary General. The association then had around 100 members.

In 2015, the position of Director of Studies for the French branch was created, initially held by Prof. Régis BISMUTH. Prof. Arnaud de NANTEUIL succeeded him as treasurer, a position he had held since 2014.

In 2017, the French branch launched its annual thesis prize. The status of doctoral student member was created in the same year. Prof. Valère NDIOR was appointed communications officer within the Board of Directors.

In 2019, Prof. Pierre BODEAU-LIVINEC became Director of Studies at ADI/ILA, the first French person to hold this position (until 2024).

In 2021, Prof. Franck LATTY was elected President, while Carla BAKER-CHISS, a lawyer at the Paris Bar, became Secretary General. The Board of Directors expanded to take on the governance of an association that now has more than 300 members (including doctoral students, who are now represented on the Board of Directors). A biannual newsletter for members was created.

In 2023, the French Branch organized the 150th anniversary of the International Law Association, under the leadership of Prof. Catherine KESSEDJIAN, chair of the organizing committee.

In 2025, the French Branch celebrated its centenary. The annual Book Prize was launched. A website dedicated to the French Branch was launched.