Conference on International Dispute Settlement: Adjudicating International Crises

Lauterpacht Centre conference on International Dispute Settlement - Adjudicating International Crises

in partnership with the LUISS Centre of International and Strategic Studies, Amsterdam Centre for International Law

0915 hrs - 1745 hrs

The dockets of international courts and tribunals are remarkably busy with cases concerning some of the most politicised and divisive international crises. From traditional disputes about territorial and/or maritime delimitation, immunities or diplomatic law, to allegations of international crimes in Ukraine, Gaza, Darfur, Syria and Myanmar, to the civilisational threat of climate change, the disputes brought to international adjudication differ greatly in nature and scale. While adjudication is actively sought, it is sometimes also fundamentally contested in its very principle, as illustrated by the international tensions arising from the activity of the International Criminal Court. What is noteworthy is the increasing resort to formal judicial processes, rather than less formal or more political options, even in those cases where the political situation makes the implementation of a judicial decision highly unlikely. Underlying this increasing resort is an effort to secure an outcome which gives legal legitimacy to a certain political position. At a time where the rule of law seems challenged in its core, the active resort to international adjudication thus suggests a much more nuanced engagement with international law. The 2nd LCIL Conference on International Dispute Settlement will seek to flesh out these nuances, with particular attention to the practice of international law.

Conference attendance is free of charge but subject to prior registration: Register here

Zoom Registration for online attendees

Conference Brochure (pdf)

Welcome coffee

Opening and context (9:15–10:15)

Introduction to the Conference: Adjudicating International Crises, Prof Jorge E Viñuales (Cambridge)

Opening keynote lecture, Prof Campbell McLachlan KC (Cambridge), followed by a discussion moderated by Prof Jorge E Viñuales

Coffee break

Resort to adjudication in an international crisis context (10:30–12:00)

Roundtable moderated by Prof Jorge E Viñuales, with the participation of Dr Tatyana Eatwell, Prof Michael Waibel (Vienna), Prof Margaretha Wewerkinke-Singh (Amsterdam) and Sir Michael Wood KC (Twenty Essex)

Lunch break

International crises and the return of classical international law (13:00–14:30)

Roundtable moderated by Prof Marc Weller (Cambridge), with the participation of Ms Naomi Briercliffe (Squire Patton), Prof Pietro Pustorino (LUISS), Prof Kimberley Trapp (UCL) and Dr Jamie Trinidad KC (Cambridge).

Coffee break

International crises and international crimes (15:00–16:30)

Roundtable moderated by Dr Federica Paddeu, with the participation of Prof Yvonne McDermott Rees (Swansea), Émilie Pottle (Temple Garden Chambers), Dr Hannah Woolaver (Cape Town)

Brief refreshment break

Closing segment (16:45-17:45)

Closing keynote lecture: Prof Philippe Sands KC (UCL), followed by a discussion moderated by Prof Sandesh Sivakumaran (Cambridge)