Professor Philippe Sands KC shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing 2023

Professor Philippe Sands, Professor of the Public Understanding of Law at UCL Laws, has been announced as a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing 2023, the UK’s most prestigious prize for political writing.

The Last Colony, published in 2022 and translated into several languages, is ‘a tale of exile, justice and Britain’s colonial legacy’, taking the reader on a journey through international law, highlighting the continuing horrors of colonial rule and the struggle for justice in the face of a crime against humanity. The French translation has been awarded the 2022 Prix du Contre-Alllée.

The Orwell Prizes are awarded each year to the books and journalism which best meet the spirit of George Orwell's own ambition 'to make political writing into an art'. The winners of the 2023 Orwell Prizes will be revealed at the Prize Ceremony in central London on 22nd June 2023.

Professor Sands said: ‘Delighted and honoured, and thrilled to be alongside so many very fine books. It offers recognition to those who have offered support, including several UCL colleagues. An opportunity to express ny deep thanks to the incredibly supportive resreach environment at the Law Faculty and UCL.’

In addition to being Director of the Centre for International Courts and Tribunals in UCL Laws, Professor Sands is also a key member of staff in the UCL Centre for Law and the Environment and a practising Barrister with Matrix Chambers.

Prior to the ‘The Last Colony’, Professor Sands published ‘East West Street’, which was awarded the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non Fiction in 2016, and the Sunday Times Bestseller ‘The Ratline’, which was also developed into a BBC Radio 4 Podcast.