Centre for International Law

International law, with its set of rules established through treaty or custom, is the key to stable international relations, collective security, and sustainable development. When international law is not respected, growing insecurity and inequalities, as well as attacks on the rule of law, become the norm. Following decades of efforts to expand the reach and content of international law through multilateralism, international law is now challenged by global power shifts and rising nationalism.

The Centre for International Law (CIL) responds to some of the most pressing regional and global challenges, by conducting independent research and bringing to the fore the role of international law in addressing the current needs of society. The CIL also convenes expert discussions and training to further advance the development of international law. Some of the areas of focus of the CIL include human rights, migration, climate change, investment and trade, among others. In its work, the CIL also considers the important role that non-state actors, such as businesses and civil society, can have in the development and in the upholding of international law.

Given present global tensions and threats to sustainable development, the role of international law, and the efforts of the CIL to support it, appear more relevant than ever before.

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Below are the current areas of research of the Centre

Arbitration

Comparative and international law perspectives in the international arbitration field, facilitating the high-level debate of practitioners, academics and policy-makers from around the world.

Business & Human Rights

Influential research on the law and practice around human rights due diligence and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

Climate Change & Environment

Research on climate change legislation and litigation, sustainable consumption issues, human rights due diligence for climate change impacts, and global environmental law.

Courts & Tribunals

Debates on the role of international courts and tribunals in providing accountability for violations of international law, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Cultural Heritage

Legal and policy research on cultural heritage, including its protection in conflict, issues surrounding the restitution of objects from museums, and access to cultural heritage as a human right.

European Law

Extensive programme of activities on European law topics, including advancing the Rule of Law, protection of human rights, perspectives on Brexit, and trade agreements.

Human Rights & IHL

Research and training on international human rights law and international humanitarian law, such as on the right to education or the protection of journalists in conflicts.

Investment & Trade

Research and debate on the key issues of international trade and investment law, international investment agreements, and investor-state dispute resolution (ISDS).

Labour Rights

Promoting and facilitating the enjoyment of human rights at work for all workers irrespective of status, field and modality of employment.

Law of the Sea

Research on core issues concerning the law of the sea and maritime dispute resolution, including sovereignty disputes and the obligations of states in relation to undelimited maritime areas.

Migration

Law making in the international migration field, access to asylum, the role of private vessels in the rescue of migrants at sea, migrant integration and determinants of anti-trafficking efforts globally.

Ukraine Response

Analysis of the multiple international law challenges that the Russian invasion of Ukraine poses, including state responsibility, displaced persons, cultural heritage, business & human rights and laws of war.

News from the Centre for International Law

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Fellowships

Staff at the Centre for International Law

Director of the Centre for International Law: Kristin Hausler, Dorset Senior Fellow

Advisory Panel

The CIL is guided by the Public International Law Advisory Panel, comprising prominent academics, practitioners and government officials.

Chair: Paul McKell

Members:

Former Members: Professor Dapo Akande, David H. Anderson CMG, Sir Daniel Bethlehem KCMG KC, Professor Eyal Benvenisti, Sir Frank Berman KCMG KC, Judge James Crawford AC, SC, FBA, Professor Malcolm Forster, Professor Vaughan Lowe KC, Alistair McGlone, Professor Catherine Redgwell, Chanaka Wickremasinghe, Dr Ralph Wilde and Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG.

Honorary International Law Practice Fellows

Sponsorship

The Institute is very grateful for the generous support of:

the donors to the 60+ Appeal which supports the work of the Centre and the Insitute more broadly
the donors to the Watts Fellowship appeal and, in particular, to Allan Myers AO KC of Melbourne, whose support has enabled the appointment of the first Arthur Watts Fellow;
the Dorset Foundation for its continued support of the Dorset Fellowship;
the Maurice Wohl Foundation for its continued support of the Maurice Wohl Fellowship

The Public International Law programme often seeks sponsorship for research projects and events. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please check out the Support Us pages or contact Kristin Hausler, Director of the Centre for International Law.