Honourable Justice Elsie Thompson

Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson is from Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria and a serving Judge of the High Court of Rivers State Nigeria. Called to the English bar in 1984 after an LL.B Honors degree from Queen Mary College University of London. She was later called to the Nigerian bar in 1985. She was elected to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for a term of six years on 27th July 2010 as the first Nigerian which ended in July 2016. She was elected to serve as the Vice-President of the Court from 2014 to 2016.

Justice Thompson, prior to her appointment as a High Court Judge was in active private legal practice for 20 years and worked on human rights cases especially on women’s rights. She has served in several associations notably the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) were she held several posts including Country Vice President (National President) and Regional Vice President for Africa.

Justice Thompson is a resource person at seminars and conferences. She has presented several papers on women and children’s rights as well as other topical legal issues.

She is a member of the Honourable society of Gray’s Inn and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK.

Justice Thompson is happily married to Sir Igonibo Emmanuel Thompson and they are blessed with children. She is a knight of the Order of Saint Mary of the Anglican Communion.