Advanced Training Workshop: Universal Jurisdiction

Workshop Details

Although the work of international courts and tribunals is what typically springs to mind at the mention of international criminal law, prosecutions based on the principle of universal jurisdiction are an equally - and indeed, increasingly - important accountability mechanism for international crimes. Based on the notion that certain crimes are so grave and egregious that they constitute an offence against the international community as a whole, the principle of universal jurisdiction entitles States to prosecute offenders of such crimes even in the absence of any nexus between the prosecuting State, the crime and the offender. The rationale behind the principle is ensuring that the most serious crimes are not met with impunity and preventing those who commit such crimes from finding safe haven in third countries.

This advanced training workshop will explore developments in the theory and practice of universal jurisdiction over the past century, from its early roots through to current trends and potential future directions. By examining the legal and historical basis of universal jurisdiction, the approaches adopted by various States to prosecutions conducted in reliance on the principle in recent years, and challenges, criticisms and potential future developments in the area, the course will provide participants with a sound understanding of this increasingly important legal principle.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Understand the historical roots and development of the principle of universal jurisdiction.
• Develop a working knowledge of the legal basis of universal jurisdiction and the mechanisms and procedures that have been implemented at the domestic level in various jurisdictions to give effect to the principle.
• Understand the differences, similarities and connections between prosecutions at international courts and tribunals and those conducted under universal jurisdiction.
• Gain insight into noteworthy prosecutions founded upon universal jurisdiction in recent years and the specific approaches that have been adopted by selected States to prosecuting international crimes domestically.
• Understand the challenges and criticisms often associated with prosecutions under universal jurisdiction.
• Be familiar with areas of opportunity and potential future developments in the prosecution of international crimes at the domestic level.

  
Course topics

• Historical roots and development of universal jurisdiction
  
• Legal basis, domestic mechanisms and procedures and complementarity with international prosecutions
• Recent prosecutions of note and specific approaches adopted in selected States
• Challenges, criticisms, potential future directions and areas of opportunity 

  
Format

This online workshop will consist of a mixture of short lectures and group discussions.

Intended audience

This workshop is ideal for practitioners working for NGOs and civil society organisations, government representatives, legal practitioners, in-house counsel, academics and other professionals. It is designed to be accessible both to lawyers and non-lawyers, although a basic understanding of international law and general legal concepts is expected.

Tutors

Prof Elies van Sliedregt, University of Tilburg. Previously, she was Professor of International and Comparative Criminal Law at the University of Leeds and from 2007-2016, she was professor of criminal law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where she was Dean from 2011 until 2015. She has held visiting fellowships in Cambridge, Oxford, Bologna, Sydney (UNSW), Melbourne (Monash), and at the ICC (Chambers). Van Sliedregt is senior editor of the Leiden Journal of International Law and member of the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities.

Devika Hovell, Associate Professor in international law at LSE. Her research focuses on questions of international dispute resolution, international criminal law and the use of force. She has a keen interest in the concept of universal jurisdiction, having observed one of only three universal jurisdiction trials that have run to completion in the United Kingdom. Her publications include 'Universal Jurisdiction: Law Out of Context'  in the Modern Law Review and  'The Authority of Universal Jurisdiction' in the European Journal of International Law. She has worked at a number of courts and tribunals, including as judicial fellow at the International Court of Justice and as Associate to Justice Hayne on the High Court of Australia. She is on the Editorial Board of the European Journal of International Law and is an editor of the international law blog EJIL:Talk. Devika is a Fixed Term Member at Matrix Chambers in London.

Course convenor

Georgia Greville, Researcher in Labour Exploitation and Human Rights, BIICL

Pricing and Registration

The course cost is £200 per person.

This event is available for booking but you must be logged in before you can place a booking.

   
Course Discounts

Member discount: 15% discount for individual members of BIICL
Details of individual memberships at BIICL 

Group discounts:

• 15% discount for groups of 3 or more attendees from Governmental Entities and Non-Governmental Organisations
• 15% discount for groups of 5 or more attendees from commercial organisations

To apply for any of the group discounts please Contact Us.

Training scholarships

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law is committed to equality and opportunity in the legal profession and to support greater engagement of under-represented groups in the legal profession.

In our efforts in this regard we are delighted to offer 3 scholarships for each of our short courses to participants from communities and backgrounds currently under-represented in the legal community.

Applications for training scholarships must be received at least three weeks ahead of the course start date (6 November 2024).

Find out more about training scholarships 

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