CIL Dialogues
An International Law Blog
CIL Dialogues is the re-imagination of the existing blog of the Centre for International Law (CIL) of the National University of Singapore (NUS). The editorial team’s approach to CIL Dialogues reflects two shared commitments. First, we share a generalist perspective of international law, viewed as raising shared foundational questions across specialised fields, institutions, regions, and inquiries. Secondly, we are appreciative that CIL Dialogues is not based in (the virtual space of), or associated with institutions in the ‘Western European and Others States Group’. The blog will therefore be interested in international law broadly conceived and seek to be attentive to regional perspectives to questions of universal and general relevance, particularly relating to Asia Pacific, as well as the views and voices that may have been traditionally excluded. More...
Featured Blogs
by Robert Beckman, Trung Nguyen and Joel Ong Jie Hao
At its thirty-third biennial meeting on 6 December 2023, the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (‘IMO’) adopted Resolution A.1192(33) urging Member States and all relevant stakeholders to promote actions to prevent illegal operations in the maritime sector by the ‘dark fleet’ or ‘shadow fleet’ (‘the 2023 Resolution’). Read on ...
Artificial Intelligence And Article 33.4 VCLT
by Tarcisio Gazzini
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to radically change legal education and the legal profession. Suffice it to mention the administration of justice through machines. This comment focuses on a much more specific issue, namely the interpretation of multilingual treaties. Article 33.4 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, in particular, directs the interpreter in overcoming differences between equally authoritative texts. Read on ...
Does breaching UNCLOS invoke the right of self-defence?
by Shani Friedman
Since October 2023, as part of the Israeli-Hamas war following the October 7 massacre in Israel, the Houthis – an Iranian-backed Yemeni terrorist group – attacked commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea in support of Hamas. The attacks range from non-violent boarding and rerouting of ships to using missiles and drones. Read on
China’s engagement with the ITLOS climate change advisory proceedings and its strategic formalism in international law
by Ryan Martínez Mitchell
Several months ago, Beijing decided to take a stand against the expansion of advisory opinion jurisdiction to the full International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), as well as the potential use of such jurisdiction to define climate change obligations under the law of the sea. Read on ...
His Excellency Judge Vladimir Vladimirovich Golitsyn, President and Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), delivered a Distinguished Speaker Lecture at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus on “Enhancing International Rule of Law” on 31 August 2015. Prior to the start of the lecture, guests were shown a short video on …
President of ITLOS Delivers Distinguished Speaker Lecture at CIL Read More »
The NUS Centre for International Law is seeking to recruit a Head for its Investment Treaty Research programme. As part of an ambitious growth plan, the Centre is looking for an expert in international investment treaties and arbitration to lead this part of its research agenda. We are looking for candidates with strong research, writing, …
CIL is delighted to announce the launch of the Singapore Branch of the International Law Association on 27 August 2015. A panel discussion followed on the topic “Why Does Singapore Need International Law? What’s Singapore’s Role in International Law?” The panel comprised Professor S. Jayakumar, Chairman of the CIL International Advisory Panel, Mr Lionel Yee, SC, …
Launch of the Singapore Branch of the International Law Association Read More »
The 20th session of the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law & Policy was held from 5 to 24 July 2015 in Rhodes, Greece. CIL Director Robert Beckman, who is also on the Board of Directors of the Rhodes Academy, delivered three seminars on UNCLOS and international environmental law, ship-source pollution and other sources of marine …
20th Session of the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law & Policy Read More »
Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman of CIL’s Governing Board, was the keynote speaker at the Singapore Regional Business Forum in Singapore on 27 July 2015. The Singapore Business Federation organised the Singapore Regional Business Forum with the theme ’21st Century Maritime Silk Road’. The one-day event attracted more than 400 diplomats, business leaders and academics from …
Keynote Speech at Singapore Regional Business Forum Read More »
On 13 July 2015, Professor Tommy Koh, the Chairman of CIL’s Governing Board, served as the Commencement Speaker at the 2015 Commencement Ceremony of the NUS Faculty of Law and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Professor Koh has a strong connection to both institutions as he has been a member of the Faculty …
Prof Koh Commencement Speaker at 2015 Commencement Ceremony Read More »
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The Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is proud to support the University’s joint organisation of the 2015 Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) World Conference, to be held at University Town at NUS, from 2-5 July 2015. Professor Alan Tan (CIL and NUS Faculty of Law) will be leading …
2015 Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) World Conference Read More »
CIL congratulates Harpreet Kaur Dhillon, CIL Practice Fellow, on her award of the 2015 Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship to pursue a Master of Laws at New York University, USA. Ms Dhillon was recognised for her outstanding track record of leadership and service within her profession. During Ms Dhillon’s tenure at CIL, she has been assisting …
CIL Practice Fellow Awarded 2015 Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship Read More »
The 15th session of the CIL Fireside Chat Series and the launch of the latest book in the NUS Centre for International Law Series, Transboundary Pollution: Evolving Issues of International Law and Policy, was held on 12 June 2015 at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus. Hosted by Prof S Jayakumar and Prof Tommy Koh, the …
CIL is pleased to announce that Mark Jason Huber has joined CIL as a Research Associate. Mark holds an LLB from the University of Tasmania, an LLM from the University of Melbourne (specialising in public and international law), and is a qualified Solicitor in Victoria (Australia). Prior to joining CIL, Mark was an Associate in …
CIL is pleased to announce that Kristine Dalaker Kraabel has been promoted to Associate Director effective 21 May 2015. Kristine brings over ten years of experience as an international corporate lawyer, business owner and communications consultant to the Centre, where she will be assisting CIL Director Robert Beckman with administration and special projects and will …
CIL is pleased to announce the publication of the latest book in the NUS Centre for International Law Series, Transboundary Pollution: Evolving Issues of International Law and Policy. Edited by S. Jayakumar, Tommy Koh, Robert Beckman, and Hao Duy Phan, the book brings together leading scholars and practitioners to discuss major legal principles governing transboundary …
CIL Director Robert Beckman and Senior Principal Research Fellow Christopher Thomas QC were pleased to welcome Sir Frank Berman KCMG QC, Dr Gérardine Goh Escolar and Professor Chester Brown to Singapore for the first Experts’ Meeting on CIL’s new focus area, International Dispute Resolution, to brainstorm potential research projects. The meeting took place from 18-19 …
CIL is pleased to report that its Governing Board held its 7th annual meeting on 12 May 2015. The members of CIL’s Governing Board include: Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (Chairman), Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin, SC, Solicitor-General (Deputy Chairman), Professor Simon Chesterman, Dean, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore …
CIL Visiting Research Fellow Captain J Ashley Roach presented a seminar on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction on 8 May 2015 at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus. This subject is garnering increased attention as scientific discoveries have been made using marine genetic resources to develop medical …
CIL was delighted to launch the first eight titles in its ASEAN Integration Through Law Book Series published by Cambridge University Press. This innovative book series evaluates the community-building processes of ASEAN to date and offers a conceptual and policy toolkit for broader Asian thinking and planning of different legal and institutional models of economic …
ASEAN Integration Through Law Book Series Launch Read More »
CIL is delighted to announce the creation of a new research page devoted to Rigs-to-Reefs, which is the transformation of obsolete offshore oil and gas platforms into artificial reefs for fisheries and biodiversity enhancement. These research materials are the culmination of a multidisciplinary effort within NUS involving CIL and two other NUS research centres: TMSI …
CIL is pleased to host the inaugural NUS-SMU Public Lecture Series on International Investment Law and Dispute Resolution, bringing together three world-renowned experts in the field to share their views and take your questions: Mr. Toby Landau QC, Mr. Sam Wordsworth QC and Mr. Christopher Thomas QC. Mr. Landau and Mr. Wordsworth’s lecture on 1 …
The Centre for International Law (CIL) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) is embarking on a new research programme in International Dispute Resolution (IDR) in which it will undertake research in the various methods of resolving disputes between States, disputes between States and private companies, and disputes between States and international organisations. The research …
CIL Research Positions in International Dispute Resolution Read More »
CIL is delighted to announce the publication of the latest book in the ASEAN Integration Through Law (ASEAN ITL) series published by Cambridge University Press: Towards a Rules-Based Community: An ASEAN Legal Service by Jean-Claude Piris (Piris Consulting) and Walter Woon, S.C. (CIL, NUS; SILE). CIL’s ASEAN ITL research project examines the role of law …
New Book in the ASEAN Integration Through Law (ASEAN ITL) Series Now Out Read More »
CIL is pleased to welcome H.E. Arif Havas Oegroseno as a CIL Distinguished Speaker to lecture on Indonesia’s Maritime Policy on Thursday, 19 March 2015 at 4 pm. He will be speaking about Indonesia’s recently launched policy initiative called the “global maritime axis”, which was introduced by President Jokowi during the 9th East Asia Summit …
CIL Distinguished Speaker Series: Indonesia’s Maritime Policy Read More »
The Centre for International Law (CIL) is accepting applications for a summer internship whereby a NUS Law student will have the opportunity to work in Geneva as a Research Assistant to Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree of Thailand, Member of the International Law Commission (ILC). The Intern will assist Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree with research for the first …
CIL Summer Internship with the International Law Commission Read More »
CIL is pleased to announce that Chang Ya Lan has joined CIL as a Research Associate. Ya Lan holds an LLB (Hons) from the National University of Singapore and an LLM (Distinction) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Prior to joining CIL, she interned with the Appeals Division of the Office of …
The Centre for International Law (CIL) welcomed Senior Visiting Research Fellow Dr Lynn Kuok in February 2015. Dr Kuok is a Fellow at Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, where she works on the international politics and security of the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining Brookings Institution, she held fellowships at the Center for Strategic and …
CIL Welcomes New Senior Visiting Research Fellow Read More »
CIL is delighted to announce the publication of the first book in the ASEAN Integration Through Law (ASEAN ITL) series published by Cambridge University Press: Rules of Origin in ASEAN – A Way Forward by Stefano Inama (Chief, UNCTAD) and Edmund W. Sim (Partner, Appleton Luff). CIL’s ASEAN ITL research project examines the role of …
First Book in the ASEAN Integration Through Law (ASEAN ITL) Series Now Published Read More »
CIL Director Robert Beckman was pleased to welcome the members of CIL’s International Advisory Panel (IAP) to Singapore for its second meeting from 15-17 February 2015. Professor S. Jayakumar, Professor, NUS Faculty of Law, and former Deputy Prime Minister and Senior Minister of Singapore, is the IAP Chairman and the members are Professor José Enrique …
Professor Joseph Weiler, President of the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence and Leading Co-Director of CIL’s ASEAN Integrated Through Law Project, delivered a Distinguished Lecture on ‘Sleepwalking Again: Europe and the End of the Pax Americana 1914-2014′ on 3 February 2015. Professor Weiler posited that, historically, the unstated foundations of European security policy rested …
The final workshop report, ‘Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea: Legal and Environmental Issues in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction’, has been released by the co-sponsors: Sargasso Sea Commission, NUS Centre for International Law (CIL), George Washington University Law School, and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). This report is the first ever multidisciplinary effort by …
Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea: Final Workshop Report Published Read More »
CIL welcomed its first Visiting Fulbright Fellow, Mr Robert Houston, in November 2014.
CIL is pleased to announce the successful run of the 2014 Singapore International Arbitration Academy from 14 to 26 November 2014 at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus in Singapore.
CIL is pleased to announce the publication of Freedom of Navigation and Globalization by Martinus Nijhoff in association with the Center for Oceans Law and Policy, University of Virginia School of Law (COLP). The book is edited by Myron H Nordquist, John Norton Moore, Robert Beckman and Ronan Long.
The Rhodes Academy Submarine Cables Writing Award is an annual award sponsored by the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) for a deserving paper on the international law of the sea relating to submarine cables. The candidate who produces the best paper will be awarded either (i) Guaranteed Admission and a Scholarship for the 2015 Rhodes …
CIL is pleased to announce that Denise Cheong has joined CIL as a Research Fellow. Denise joins the Ocean Law and Policy team where she will focus on developments in areas beyond national jurisdiction including those relating to deep seabed mining, marine protected areas (MPAs) and genetic resources. She has a particular interest in international …
CIL is pleased to announce that Kristine Dalaker Kraabel has joined CIL as a Research Associate.
Tara Davenport, former CIL Research Fellow and CIL Global Associate, recently completed her LLM at Yale Law School on a Fulbright Scholarship. She further distinguished herself during her LLM studies at Yale by being awarded the Jerome Sayles Hess Prize for International Law 2014, which is given to the best student who demonstrates excellence in the area of international law.
The Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) organised the 13th session of the Fireside Chat Series on International Law and Diplomacy on the Indus Waters Kishenganga Arbitration (Pakistan v. India) on 27 October 2014.
CIL Director Professor Robert Beckman and CIL Global Associate Professor Clive Schofield presented 'Defining EEZ Claims from Islands: A Potential South China Sea Change' on 9 October 2014 at a public seminar organised by the Centre for International Law (CIL).
CIL hosted the launch of its latest publication in the NUS Centre for International Law series, 'The South China Sea Disputes and Law of the Sea', on 26 September 2014.
'The South China Sea Disputes and Law of the Sea' is CIL's latest publication in the NUS Centre for International Law Series. Edited by Professor S. Jayakumar, Professor Tommy Koh and Professor Robert Beckman, this highly informative and timely book brings together experts on the law of the sea to examine the application of specific provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea within the context of the South China Sea disputes.
The Centre for International Law (CIL) will hold the second session of the Fireside Chat Series 2014 on ‘Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan): International Law, Science and the Environment’ at 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Friday, 19 September 2014.
Tara Davenport, former CIL Research Fellow and CIL Global Associate, has been awarded the 2014/2015 NUS Overseas Graduate Scholarship to pursue her JSD at Yale Law School, tentatively titled ‘From Legal Order to Public Order: Law, Politics and Policy in the Governance of Seabed Resources.’ She just completed her LLM at Yale Law School on …
The Centre for International Law held its first of three sessions of the 2014 Fireside Chat Series on 'The Preah Vihear Temple Case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)' on 12 August 2014.
Centre for International Law is delighted to be partnering with the International Boundaries Research Unit in organizing a training workshop on the Practical Aspects of Maritime Boundary Delimitation on 24-26 September 2014 at the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore.
CIL hosted a visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on 7 July 2014. The ICRC delegation comprised Mr. Christopher Harland (outgoing Regional Legal Advisor for South East Asia), Ms Kelisiana Thynne (incoming Regional Legal Advisor for South East Asia) and Ms Fiona Barnaby (Legal Advisor, ICRC Kuala Lumpur). The delegation met …
Visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Read More »
Professor Robert Beckman and Captain J. Ashley Roach participated in two meetings on the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in Manila, Philippines. On 27 May 2014, Professor Beckman and Captain Roach served as experts in the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) Workshop on UNCLOS and Maritime Security in East Asia. On 28-29 May 2014, Professor Beckman and Captain Roach served as academic experts at the 2nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Seminar on UNCLOS.
The Centre for International Law (CIL) is pleased to announce the publication by the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) of CSCAP Memorandum No. 24 on the Safety and Security of Vital Undersea Communications Infrastructure.
CIL Director Robert Beckman and CIL Global Associate Prof Clive Schofield have co-authored a new journal article on the South China Sea disputes. It is published in the most recent issue of the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law [Vol. 29, Issue 2, pp. 193 – 243].
On 1st June 2014, the Minister of Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, General Phung Quang Thanh, called on CIL Director Robert Beckman at the NUS Faculty of Law.
CIL congratulates the Chairman of our International Advisory Panel (IAP) Professor S. Jayakumar, who was honoured by the National University of Singapore with the Outstanding Service Award on 9 May 2014 for sustained meritorious service to the University as well as national and global communities. For more information, click here. For more CIL news & …
Prof Jayakumar Honoured by NUS with Outstanding Service Award Read More »
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Prof Tommy Koh, Chairman of CIL’s Governing Board, received the 2014 Great Negotiator Award from Harvard University on 10 April 2014. Ambassador Koh is the 11th recipient of the Great Negotiator Award, awarded jointly in 2014 by the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School and the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard Kennedy School. …
CIL Chairman Prof Tommy Koh Receives 2014 Great Negotiator Award Read More »
CIL, in cooperation with the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Asian Law Institute (ASLI), organised the ASEAN Integration Through Law Plenary and Course Development Workshop on the ASEAN Economic Community in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
The 2014 Singapore Cooperation Programme's (SCP) Course on International Law was jointly held and organised by the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. The Course was a close-door event and designed for mid to senior Government officials from various Ministries as well as judges, magistrate and prosecutors.
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The International Conference on "Transboundary Pollution: Evolving Issues of International Law and Policy" took place on 27 – 28 February 2014 at Orchard Hotel, Singapore. The Conference was organized by the Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and was chaired by Professor S Jayakumar and Professor Tommy Koh.
CIL Deputy Director Dr Navin met with Prof Dr H Faisal Santiago and his team from Universitas Borobudur on 17 February 2013.
CIL congratulates its researchers Dr Hao Duy Phan and Ms Ranyta Yusran for their promotion to Senior Research Fellow and Research Fellow respectively (effective 1 January 2014).
Click https://cil.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Mapping-way-out-of-South-China-Sea-rows-Straits-Times-18-Feb-2014.pdf
We are pleased to announce that CIL contributed a chapter to the World Trade Organisation's 'WTO Chairs Book': Connecting to Global Markets.
Researchers from CIL had a rare opportunity to meet with and discuss ocean governance, policy and legal issues with Mr Michael Lodge, Deputy to the Secretary-General and Legal Counsel of the International Seabed Authority, on 23 January 2014.
The annual Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy will be held from 29 June – 18 July 2014 in Rhodes, Greece. CIL continues its fifth year of association with the prestigious Academy and has been a full member of the Academy since last year. CIL Director Robert C Beckman has been a member of the Rhodes Academy faculty since 2009 and currently serves as one of the Academy's six directors. For more information on the Academy, click here.
The annual Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy will be held from 29 June - 18 July 2014 in Rhodes, Greece. CIL continues its fifth year of association with the prestigious Academy and has been a full member of the Academy since last year.
CIL was honoured to host a visit by Mr Michael Lodge, Deputy to the Secretary-General and Legal Counsel for the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
We are pleased to announce that an Associate of CIL, Mr Diego German Mejia-Lemos, was awarded the NUS President’s Graduate Fellowship in January 2014.
CIL is pleased to announce a successful run of the 2013 Singapore International Arbitration Academy from 22 November to 3 December 2013 at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus and the Supreme Court of Singapore.
CIL is proud to announce that "Submarine Cables: The Handbook of Law and Policy" is now available. The book is edited by Douglas Burnett, the legal advisor of the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), and two CIL staff members, Robert Beckman and Tara Davenport.
On 3 December 2013, 150 government lawyers, private practitioners, academics and students assembled in the Auditorium of the Supreme Court of Singapore to consider the topic of "Investment Treaty Arbitration in Asia: What Lies Ahead?".
Sir Christopher Greenwood CMG QC, Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), delivered a public lecture on 29 November 2013 on the timely topic, "The ICJ: A World Court for a New World".
Dr Peter Maurer, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), delivered a public lecture entitled “Global Humanitarian Action Today: The Red Cross Perspective” on 20 November 2013 at Orchard Parade Hotel. The talk, co-organised by the Centre for International Law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Singapore Red Cross was …
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Jointly organised by the Centre for International Law (CIL), Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), and the Centre for Offshore Engineering (CORE), this multi-disciplinary workshop on the prospects for Rigs-to-Reefs in Southeast Asia for fisheries, marine tourism and biodiversity took place on 12-13 November 2013.
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he final session of the 2013 CIL Fireside Chat Series took place on 8 November 2013 and considered "Syria and International Law".
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Organised by the NUS Centre for International Law (CIL), together with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Singapore Cooperation Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Second Singapore Trade Dialogue on 30 October 2013 gathered more than 55 participants, including senior officials from the WTO, government officials and trade and investment policy experts from Asia Pacific.
Professor S Jayakumar and Professor Tommy Koh hosted the penultimate session of the 2013 CIL Fireside Chat Series on 11 October 2013. Four distinguished panelists gave their views on the topic "ASEAN and Human Rights”.
CIL would like to congratulate our hardworking administrators Ms Sadhna Rai and Ms Jocelyn Cruz on their elevation to Executive & Professional status.
CIL extends its congratulations to Mr Chan Sek Keong, the former Chief Justice of Singapore, on his appointment as NUS Faculty of Law's first Distinguished Fellow.
CIL's publication "Beyond Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea: Legal Frameworks for Joint Development of Hydrocarbon Resources" was launched by the Chairman of CIL's International Advisory Panel Professor S Jayakumar on 27 September 2013.
CIL congratulates its Chairman, Professor Tommy Koh, on being named as the 2014 Great Negotiator by the Program on Negotiation, an inter-university consortium comprising Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University and the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard Kennedy School.