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 ...
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The Centre for International Law (CIL) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) jointly organised the IAEA Sub-Regional Workshop on Nuclear Law for Member States in the Asia and Pacific Region from 13th to 17th June 2016 at University Town …
CIL is delighted to welcome Nivedita as a Research Associate under the ESI-CIL Nuclear Governance Project, which is a research grant secured by CIL and the Energy Studies Institute (ESI) from the National Research Foundation as part of the Singapore Government’s Nuclear Policy Research Programme. Nivedita holds an Advanced Masters of Law in Public International …
CIL is delighted to welcome Anthony Wetherall as a Senior Research Fellow under the ESI-CIL Nuclear Governance Project, which is a research grant secured by CIL and the Energy Studies Institute (ESI) from the National Research Foundation as part of the Singapore Government’s Nuclear Policy Research Programme. Anthony has some fifteen years of nuclear law …
CIL is pleased to announce that H.E. Arif Havas Oegroseno, a member of CIL’s International Advisory Panel and Deputy Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Resources of Indonesia, has been nominated as a judge to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) by the government of the Republic of Indonesia. ITLOS is …
H.E. Arif Havas Oegroseno Nominated as Judge to ITLOS Read More »
Having completed the first drafts of papers in its project exploring the concept of a multilateral appellate mechanism for investor-State dispute settlement; and in light of the public release of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement – both of which include the EU’s proposed new first instance …
Report on the CIL Investment Treaty Appellate Mechanism Research Project Workshop Read More »
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Signing Ceremony The Centre for International Law (CIL) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) received a three-year research grant from the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) supported by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) to establish the CIL-MPA Oceans Governance Research Programme. Research activities under the programme will focus on three areas: Arctic shipping governance; …
CIL Non-resident Fellow Captain J. Ashley Roach was the first recipient of the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Maritime Research Fellowship, a government-funded programme that aims to develop capabilities within Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning for maritime research. Under this programme, Capt Roach assisted Singapore in its new role after having been granted permanent observer status …
CIL’s Capt Roach Receives the First SMI Research Fellowship Read More »
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The Energy Studies Institute (ESI) and the Centre for International Law (CIL) have secured a research grant from Singapore’s National Research Foundation to do research in the area of nuclear law and policy as part of the Singapore Government’s Nuclear Policy Research Programme. As its inaugural outreach event, ESI and CIL jointly held a seminar …
ESI-CIL Nuclear Governance Project’s Inaugural Outreach Event Read More »
In light of the recent United Nations General Assembly mandate to develop an internationally legally binding instrument under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to deal with the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, a term that is frequently referred to as BBNJ, …
The 16th session of the CIL Fireside Chat Series, held on 15 January 2016 at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus, examined the Award on Jurisdiction in the Arbitration between the Philippines and China and discussed the implications of the Award on the South China Sea disputes. Hosted by Professor S Jayakumar and Professor Tommy Koh, …
Past Event – 16th session of CIL Fireside Chat Series Read More »
CIL is delighted to welcome Seraphina Chew as a Research Assistant at the Centre for International Law. Seraphina completed her LL.B with a 2nd (Upper) Honours at the London School of Economics (LSE), where she was awarded the Blackstone Chambers Prize for Human Rights (2013/2014). She also represented LSE at the Willem C. Vis International …
CIL is delighted to welcome Christine Sim as a Research Associate at the Centre for International Law. Christine completed her LLM in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS) at the Graduate Institute and the University of Geneva in Switzerland after obtaining her LLB at the National University of Singapore. She specialised in dispute resolution focussing on public …
CIL is delighted to welcome Hadyu Ikrami as a Research Associate at CIL. He holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Indonesia. Prior to joining CIL, he trained at the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, where he assisted …
In its annual resolution on oceans and law of the sea in 2015, the UN General Assembly recognised the important contribution of the Rhodes Academy of Ocean Law and Policy to capacity-building in the field of law of the sea. The Rhodes Academy is a three-week course held annually that aims to bring together distinguished …
The NUS Centre for International Law (CIL) and the K.G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea (JCLOS) of the UiT The Arctic University of Norway jointly organised the ‘Governance of Arctic Shipping – Balancing Rights and Interests of Arctic States and User States’ International Conference, which was held from 9-11 December 2015 in Singapore. …
CIL-JCLOS International Conference on Governance of Arctic Shipping Read More »
CIL is pleased to announce the successful run of the 2015 Singapore International Arbitration Academy from 18 to 29 November 2015 at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus in Singapore. Its 11-day intensive programme blended together theory, substantive and procedural law, and skills training in the field of investor-State arbitration and attracted more than 40 participants …
Successful Run of the 2015 Singapore International Arbitration Academy Read More »
CIL was a Conference Partner of the 5th Biennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law 2015 (AsianSIL), which was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 26-27 November 2015. The theme of the Conference was “International Law and the Changing Economic & Political Landscape in Asia”. CIL Director Robert Beckman chaired a panel on the …
CIL a Conference Partner of 5th AsianSIL Biennial Conference Read More »
Elsa Sardinha is a Research Associate at the Centre for International Law, focusing on the Centre’s International Investment Law and International Dispute Resolution programmes. She also assists Mr J. Christopher Thomas QC as a Practice Fellow on international investment arbitrations and commercial arbitrations. Before joining the Centre, Elsa worked as Legal Counsel at the London …
The NUS Centre for International Law (CIL) and the K.G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea (JCLOS) of the UiT The Arctic University of Norway will be jointly organising the ‘Governance of Arctic Shipping – Balancing Rights and Interests of Arctic States and User States’ International Conference to be held from 9-11 December 2015 …
CIL-JCLOS International Conference on Governance of Arctic Shipping Read More »
CIL is delighted to welcome Ms Anjali Sugadev as a Research Assistant. She will work with Prof Beckman and the Oceans Law and Policy team. Anjali completed her Bachelor of Laws from Bangalore University, India. Her academic accomplishments include securing ten gold medals in her college for scholastic excellence. She was also accorded the Best …
CIL is pleased to announce that Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, and Chair of the CIL Governing Board, delivered a speech on 19 October 2015 in Beijing, China as the Leader of the Singapore Delegation to the S on “China’s Comprehensive Reforms and the Building of an Inclusive Asian Community of …
Prof Tommy Koh Delivers Speech at 10th China-Singapore Forum Read More »
CIL is delighted to welcome Shaun Kang as a Research Associate in the Centre’s Ocean Law and Policy and International Dispute Resolution research programmes. Shaun holds an LL.M. from the National University of Singapore (specialising in International and Comparative Law). He graduated with an LL.B. (Hons.) from the University of Reading. While completing his degree, …
Professor Walter Woon delivered the David Marshall Lecture on “Building the Rules-Based ASEAN Community: Strengthening the Centre” on 13 November 2015 on the NUS Bukit Timah Campus. The ASEAN Charter, A Commentary by Professor Walter Woon, published by NUS Press, was launched in conjunction with the David Marshall Lecture. Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign …
CIL is pleased to announce that Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, and Chair of the CIL Governing Board, delivered the Biennial Lecture 2015 on “Singapore and International Law” at the Law Society of Singapore’s SG50 Double Bill (Biennial Lecture 2015/Annual CPD Day 2015) on Thursday, 8 October 2015. The objective of …
Prof Tommy Koh Delivers Biennial Lecture 2015 on “Singapore and International Law””” Read More »
CIL is pleased to announce that Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, and Chair of the CIL Governing Board, delivered a keynote speech titled “Keeping The Straits of Malacca and Singapore Safe and Clean: A Triumph For Cooperation” at the 8th Co-operation Forum, which addressed key issues relating to ?the Straits of …
Prof Koh Delivers Keynote Speech at 8th Co-operation Forum Read More »
CIL is pleased to announce that the e-book versions of its international law book series, published by Edward Elgar Publishing, are now available for purchase at a substantial discount from the hardback price through eBooks.com and Google play. This series includes the following book titles: Piracy and International Maritime Crimes in ASEAN: Prospects for Cooperation …
CIL’s Edward Elgar Book Series Now Available Online at a Discounted Price Read More »
CIL is delighted to welcome Anais Kedgley Laidlaw as a Research Associate in the Centre’s International Dispute Resolution programme. Before joining CIL, Anais spent eight years with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including postings to New York and Bangkok. While at the Ministry, Anais specialised in international law and worked across …
CIL congratulates Dr Sun Zhen on graduating from Wolfson College at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, on 18 July 2015 with a Doctor of Philosophy. Dr Sun’s doctoral thesis is entitled, ‘Allocating Uses of the Exclusive Economic Zone under the International Law of the Sea’. Dr Sun is a member of the CIL Ocean …
CIL Congratulates Dr Sun Zhen on Graduation from Cambridge Read More »
Dr Nilufer Oral visited CIL from 22 to 25 September 2015. Dr Oral is a member of the Law Faculty at Istanbul Bilgi University and Deputy Director of the Marine Research Center for the Law of the Sea. She was elected to the IUCN Council for Western Europe (2012 – 2016) and is the IUCN …
Dr Nilufer Oral to Deliver Two Distinguished Speaker Lectures Next Week Read More »
CIL congratulates CIL Research Fellow Mr Junianto James Losari on winning first prize in an essay competition organised by the Singapore branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and sponsored by 39 Essex Chambers. The essay competition was run this year in conjunction with the CIArb Singapore Centenary Conference on 3-4 September 2014. Young …
CIL is pleased to announce that Ms Sharon Seah has joined CIL as Associate Director in charge of External Affairs. Ms Seah provides direction, coordination and overall promotion of CIL’s projects and training programmes across CIL’s core focus areas in support of the Centre’s strategic objective to be a centre of excellence in international law …
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 …