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And, simultaneously, within that month, Shoman also has to start steering Belize’s legal team.  There’s been a lot of public speculation about the quality of this team.  Well, it is being led by a firm called Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world.  Shoman told us the names of all who will be on the team:…

H. E. Assad Shoman-Named Belize's Agent at ICJ
"We took on Freshfields. At the moment the person who is representing Freshfields is Ben Juratowitch QC. He is an Australian, he is the head of the public international law practice at Freshfields. He has been at the ICJ in many cases including recently Bolivia/Chile, on behalf of Chile, who won the case. And he also represented Belize at the ICJ already, at the Chagos case, which of course the advisory opinion was in favor of what we had presented, right. So that is one. Then the other people are from different firms or from no firm at all. Samuel Wordsworth, he is British, of the Essex Court Chambers, which is the law firm that Sir Eddy was a part of. A leading advocate before the ICJ, regularly instructed by governments in international law cases and he has appeared before numerous international tribunals. Then we have Professor Monica Pinto, an Argentine, Spanish speaking and French Speaking. Until last year she was Dean of the Buenos Aires law school. Awarded by the American Society of International Law last year, honorary member for her dedication and distinguished contributions to international law. She has appeared before several human rights bodies and tribunals, etc. And, this is interesting, she was the independent expert for the examination of the situation of human rights in Guatemala from 1993 to 1997 that reported to the UN Commission of Human Rights. Then we have Professor Mathias Forteau, French professor of public international law, experienced advocate before the ICJ and for several years he was president of UN International Law Commission. That's the team we have so far. We could augment it if necessary. And speaking of which, this thing about an ad hoc judge, right, we are looking at that very carefully. Looking at possibilities because it is more than likely that Guatemala will appoint an ad hoc judge. And then of course we have to appoint and ad hoc judge. So, we are actively looking at that and we will be ready to go as soon as we have to." Jules Vasquez
"Who would pay for all this? I know you said the UN has..."

H. E. Assad Shoman
"You will pay for it. [Laughs]. You will pay for it because, yes, the UN can help but it is a small fund I told you. Other countries might. I mean the UK, I believe has a responsibility to help us, although they might not think so. But in the end we have to pay for our own freedoms."

The finally member of the team is Dr. Robin Cleverly, a hydrographer and world renowned expert in wartime issues.