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 Blog
Missed opportunities: WIPO Treaty falls short of protecting Traditional Knowledge
by Kriti Sharma
On May 24, 2024, twenty five years of negotiations culminated in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Diplomatic Conference adopting its first treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge (“the treaty”). Developed as a conciliatory effort of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (WIPO IGC), this instrument was drafted by former Chair Ian Goss in 2019. Read on ...
Featured Symposium
Gravity at the International Criminal Court
INTRODUCTORY BLOG
Published on 6 August 2024
Gravity at the International Criminal Court: An Introduction
by Priya Urs
I began thinking about the selectivity of the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in 2014, when I worked with the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission to strengthen its role in monitoring human rights violations across the country. In reality, the Commission was often dealing with allegations of international crimes. My colleagues at the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law worked in not dissimilar contexts: Cambodia, Colombia, Mali, Sudan, South Sudan and other parts of the world where people had suffered or continued to suffer as a result of armed conflict or other forms of violence. It was impossible to ignore the contrast between the sheer geographical scope of allegations of relevant conduct and the relatively limited capacity for their investigation and prosecution, whether before international or national criminal courts.
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 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 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 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 …
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 …