Skjold, Dr Jørgen Sørgard

Academic background

In his regular capacity Dr. Skjold is a Legal Advisor on International Law to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Associate Professor in international law at the University of Bergen, Faculty of Law. He was previously a doctoral research fellow, postdoctoral fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Oslo, Faculty of Law. He regularly teaches and supervises students in international law and constitutional law. He has experience from representing Norway in negotiations with other States as well as in international organisations and international courts and tribunals, such as the International Court of Justice. He advises inter alia on issues of general international law, treaty law, state responsibility and constitutional law. Has served as assistant to H.E. Mr. Rolf Einar Fife, Member of the International Law Commission since 2023.

• Dr. Jur (PhD), University of Oslo, Faculty of Law (2021), on the topic ‘Countermeasures in International Law: Function, Limits and Systemic Relevance’, supervised by Professor Ivar Alvik (Oslo) and Professor Christian J. Tams (King’s College London).
• Master of laws, University of Bergen (2015).
• Master of Science, Theory and History of International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (2013).
• Bachelor of Arts in history, University of Bergen (2011).

Research interests

His professional work and research is mostly dedicated to questions of general international law, including issues relating to the implementation of international law in domestic law. Particular interest for treaty law, sovereignty and jurisdiction, immunities, law of the sea, state responsibility as well as constitutional questions related to the conclusion of and implementation of treaties.

Skjold is currently pursuing research relating to international legal consequences associated with non-legally binding international agreements. He is also involved in a research project that seeks to examine international legal aspects relating to offshore wind installations and critical underwater infrastructure.

Recent Publications

Skjold, Jørgen S., Countermeasures in International Law: Function, Limits and Systemic Relevance, University of Oslo, Faculty of Law, Department of Public and International Law, PhD series, Oslo, 2021.

Skjold, Jørgen S., Suverenitet, jurisdiksjon og beslag i informasjon på server i utlandet: En kommentar til Høyesteretts kjennelse i Tidal-saken og Ruis kritikk, Lov og Rett, Vol. 58, Nr. 10, 2019, p. 617-639. (eng:”Sovereignty, jurisdiction and seizure of information stored at a server located on foreign territory”). Also published in Japanese as part of the following volume edited by Makoto Ibusuki & Yoichiro Itakura: “越境するデータと法: サイバー捜査と個人情報保護を考える” (2023) (eng: Transcending Data and Law: Cyber investigation and protection of personal information).

Skjold, Jørgen S., Svalbardtraktaten, Karnov lovkommentar, Karnov Group Norway/Lovdata, 2021. Updated in 2025.

Skjold, Jørgen S., Svalbardloven, Karnov lovkommentar, Karnov Group Norway/Lovdata, 2021. Updated in 2025.

Skjold, Jørgen S., Sanksjonsloven, Karnov lovkommentar, Karnov Group Norway/Lovdata, 2022. Updated in 2024.

Skjold, Jørgen S., Jan Mayen loven, Karnov lovkommentar, Karnov Group Norway/Lovdata, 2021. Updated in 2023.

Skjold, Jørgen S., Bilandsloven, Karnov lovkommentar, Karnov Group Norway/Lovdata, 2021. Updated in 2023.

Skjold, Jørgen S., Lov om immunitet og privilegier for internasjonale organisasjoner m.v., Karnov lovkommentar, Karnov Group Norway/Lovdata, 2021. Updated in 2023.

Skjold, Jørgen S., Lov om internasjonale investeringstvistar, Karnov lovkommentar, Karnov Group Norway/Lovdata, 2021. Updated in 2023.