Danish High Court judge Mette Lyster Knudsen is seeking election as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), in a candidacy that Denmark and the other Nordic countries are supporting ahead of the court’s December 2026 judicial election.
Knudsen has more than 25 years of experience in the Danish legal system. Her candidacy is part of the election of six new judges to the international court, which handles cases involving genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to the Danish Embassy in Thailand, she would become the first Danish judge elected to the ICC if successful.
Election scheduled for December
The election will take place during the 25th session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, scheduled for 7 to 17 December 2026 in New York.
Knudsen is among the candidates officially nominated for the election. Denmark is her nominating state, according to the ICC’s published candidate list.
The Danish government has presented her experience in the national judicial system as an important qualification for the international position.
Her candidacy is also being promoted as a Nordic effort, with the Danish Embassy highlighting the regional support behind her campaign.
The election will determine six of the court’s 18 judges, who serve nine-year terms.
