Jean-Michel Servais (born 23 June 1945) studied at the University of Liege, in Belgium. He obtained a first degree in philosophy and literature in 1965, and a doctorate of law in 1968. The same year he was appointed barrister-at-law in Liege and also research assistant at the Faculty of Law of the University of Liege. He was awarded "Doctor honoris causa" from the University Attila J zsef (Szeged, Hungary) in 1997.