Since 2002, the prize is awarded every two years to individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the development of public or private international law or to the advancement of the rule of law in the world. Amongst others, previous recipients include Professor Cherif Bassiouni, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to international criminal law and Professor Paul Lagarde, for his commitment to the Hague Conference on Private International Law. In 2009, the prize was awarded to Rosalyn Higgins, former President of the International Criminal Court, in the presence of her majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands.

For the first time since its establishment, two recipients of the prize were selected: Professor Georges Abi Saab (1933) and Professor Sir Elihu Lauterpacht (1928).

Georges Abi Saab is an alumnus (PhD, 1967) and emeritus Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute. Over the course of his distinguished career as an academic, author, counsellor and speaker, he has inspired several generations. Moreover, the prize rewards him for his efforts as a judge and arbitrator in many international disputes, such as the border dispute between Egypt and Israel (Taba). Furthermore, Georges Abi Saab is well known by his modern Third World perspective on international law and as an advocate of human rights.

Professor Sir Elihu Lauterpacht conducted pioneering research in the field of international law, which has shaped dozens of international top lawyers. The award ceremony will be held at The Hague Peace Palace on June 27th.