Nuclear Weapons in International Law and Politics

Friday 16 March 2007 12:30 to 18:30

Location

British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5JP

Participants

Speakers:

  • Professor Sir Elihu Lauterpacht QC, Lauterpacht Research
    Centre for International Law,University of Cambridge
    The 1972 ICJ Nuclear Test Cases (New Zealand v France and Australia v France) and the 1994 Request by New Zealand for an Examination of the Judgement
  • Dr Erik Koppe, Lecturer, Groningen University, Faculty of Law
    The Use of Nuclear Weapons and the Protection of the Environment during International Armed Conflict
  • Dr Robert Cryer, Reader, Nottingham University, School of Law
    Right and Wrong, Then and Now: The Nuclear Weapons Advisory Opinion and Humanitarian Law
  • Dr Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law, University of British Columbia
    Nuclear Weapons and the Right to Self-Defence
  • Dr Gerry Simpson, Reader in Law, London School of Economics (LSE), Law Department
    Great Powers, Law and Nuclear Weapons
  • Matthew Happold, Reader, University of Hull, Law School
    Nuclear Weapons and the UN Security Council
  • Dr Daniel Joyner, Associate Professor, Warwick School of Law
    The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Time for Restructuring?
  • Dr Ian Anthony, Project leader of non-proliferation and Export Control Project (NEC), Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
    Realistic Options to Strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

10 years after the International Court of Justice gave its Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons in 1996, the regulation of nuclear weapons continues to attract political and scholarly attention. The 'war on terror', the acquisition of nuclear weapons by 'maverick' States and the growing acceptance of nuclear energy, raise renewed concerns as to the viability of the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968.

These recent challenges raise questions about the content and adequacy of international law concerning nuclear weapons. Several competing solutions have been proposed to respond to these threats and challenges, ranging from increased use of the IAEA process to the claimed pre-emptive right of self-defence, each of which is likely significantly to reshape the current international régime for nuclear weapons.

This symposium invites international legal and political scholars and professionals to discuss the regulation of the use of nuclear weapons by reference to contemporary international law - the law of war, use of force and arms control, humanitarian law, non-proliferation and disarmament régimes, human rights law and environmental law.

This event will be followed by a reception for all those attending.

5 CPD hours may be claimed by both solicitors and barristers through attendance at this event. Speakers may claim an additional CPD point for preparation.

Please click here to view the programme.

Student entrance is free upon presentation of a valid student card prior to registration.