| Discrete Collections | Politics, economics and social science collections |
| Title | UK Affiliate of the World Court Project |
| Ref No | WCP |
| Level | Collection |
| Date | 1991-2014 |
| Extent | 17 boxes |
| Admin Biographical History | The World Court Project (WCP) sought an opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legal status of nuclear weapons.
The idea was initially put forward in 1987 by Harold Evans, a retired judge from New Zealand and the international Project itself was launched at the Palais de Nations, Geneva, in May 1992.
The UK Group began in 1991 following a meeting at LSE organised by the Institute for Law and Peace - later known as the Institute for Law Accountability and Peace (INLAP). The meeting agreed the creation of a UK affiliate to the WCP.
The UK Group's constitution and terms of reference notes that it would achieve its objectives by:
- Researching and publishing relevant legal instruments and precedents and information on related matters of fact
- Eliciting, compiling and publishing legal opinions and declarations
- Communicating with, involving and co-operating with non-governmental organisations in the UK and abroad
- Educating and mobilising public opinion
- Communicating with governments, governmental organisations, politicians, diplomats, civil servants and other relevant persons including UN officials
- Participating in lobbying the UN General Assembly and other UN bodies.
On 8 July 1996, the ICJ issued its Advisory Opinion on the legal status of the threat or use of nuclear weapons. Thereafter, the Group's aim was to work towards abolishing nuclear weapons through the law. In January 2010, WCP UK became part of INLAP.
The papers were deposited by the family of George Farebrother (1937-2015), a key campaigner in the group and its Secretary from its establishment until his death in 2015. There is more biographical information about him in: his obituary by Robert Green in The Guardian (24 March 2015); and the WILPF (UK) Annual Report, 2015-16. |
| Custodial History | The papers were donated by George Farebrother's widow (Jean) in November 2017. |
| Description | Papers relating to the UK Affiliate of World Court Project (WCP) and assembled by the Group's Secretary, George Farebrother. The papers have been kept in their original order:
- Minutes (in WCP/1)
- Reports, including annual reports (WCP/1)
- Newsletters (WCP/1-2)
- General WCP information (WCP/2)
- Finance (WCP/2)
- Letters out (WCP/3-7)
Mainly letters written by George Farebrother as Secretary of the World Court Project (UK) to people such as politicians, diplomats and campaigners.
- MPs, MEPs and Government (WCP/7-11)
Mainly letters from ministers, MPs, MEPs and officials in response to lobbying letters from campaigners relating to the World Court Project (UK) campaign and anti-nuclear campaigns generally.
- Letters in (WCP/11-17)
General correspondence consisting mostly of letters to George Farebrother as Secretary of the World Court Project (UK). Correspondents include activists (from the UK and elsewhere), supporters and organisations relating to the World Court Project campaign and anti-nuclear/peace campaigns generally. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Copyright Type | Copyright is held by the depositor |