Research Centres

How we organise our work

The charitable purpose of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law is to develop and advance the disciplines and understanding of international and comparative law in the UK and around the world, and to promote the rule of law in national and international affairs. We divide our work into three centres of excellence

Centres of research at BIICL include the Centre for International Law, the Centre for comparative Law and the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law. Each centre hosts separate projects which contribute to the vision and mission of the Institute. In addition the centres work collaboratively on projects combining skills and topics to create multi level research outputs.

Centre for International Law 

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 Centre also convenes expert discussions and training to further advance the development of international law. Some of the areas of focus of the Centre include human rights, migration, and climate change among others. In its work, the Centre for International Law 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.

Centre for Comparative Law 

The Centre for Comparative Law (CCL) is committed to promoting cross-cultural knowledge exchange and fostering the exchange of ideas to drive legal innovation and adaptation to changing social dynamics. Through independent research, expert discussions, and training initiatives, the Centre aims to enhance legal understanding and knowledge across national borders. The centre's scope encompasses diverse areas such as civil and commercial law, conflict resolution, and dispute resolution. Collaborating with universities, distinguished scholars, and research institutions in the UK and globally, the centre actively seeks to advance its mission on a broad scale.

The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law 

The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law was founded in 2010 to take forward Lord Bingham's vision of a world in which every society is governed by the rule of law "in the interests of good government and peace at home and in the world at large". Tom was a leading UK judge, an acclaimed author and served as President of BIICL.

The Bingham Centre's research and events seek to equip specific institutions and sectors to strengthen and advance the rule of law. Our strategic areas are law-making, justice systems, emergencies and public and youth engagement. They involve: examining the rule of law risks posed by new legislation; assessing government legal responses to emergencies; analysing justice systems to ensure that they provide fair and impartial access to justice through independent institutions; and promoting engagement with rule of law among youth audiences and the wider public. We host a Business Network, which brings together general counsel from multinational corporations to discuss rule of law issues.