International Law
Courts, treaties, sanctions and the rules that bind states.
Why the Slow Pace of Justice Is Actually Its Greatest Asset
In late January 2026, an international coalition designated the United States as the focus of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, citing rising pressure and intimidation of lawyers and judges. At nearly the same time, two federal judges in…
When International Courts Are Asked to Redefine the Law
The International Court of Justice is navigating a moment of intense scrutiny. Multiple cases involving allegations of the gravest crimes in international law have put the Court under pressure not just to resolve disputes, but to…
Myanmar at the ICJ: Why Genocide's Legal Threshold Must Remain High
The International Court of Justice has begun hearing a case that will test the outer limits of genocide law. The Gambia has brought proceedings against Myanmar over military operations in Rakhine State in 2017, alleging violations of the…
Who Owns the Ocean Floor? A New Legal Battle Is Rumbling Beneath the Waves
Most territorial disputes happen in places you can find on Google Maps. The next big legal fight is happening somewhere nobody can actually see: the deep seabed.
International Legal Trends for 2026: No longer above the noise
International law likes to present itself as a neutral referee, calm, procedural, above the noise. In 2026, that pose is getting harder to maintain. The year is shaping up as a test of whether legal institutions can distinguish evidence…
2026 Begins by Asking, Is International Law Fit for Purpose?
2026 has started with major questions in the wake of 'Operation Absolute Resolve'. Fierce debate has erupted amongst international law experts. But beyond the immediate legal arguments, this episode in Venezula raises a more fundamental…
Emergency Powers and the Rule of Law: When "Temporary" Becomes Forever
Here's an uncomfortable fact: as of 2025, more than 40 national emergencies remain active in the United States. Most involve foreign sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Some have been running for decades.
Climate Litigation: When Courts Become the Last Line of Defence
Here's a staggering number: as of June 2025, 3,099 climate-related cases have been filed across 55 countries and 24 international or regional courts. That's up from 884 cases in 2017. The cases have more than tripled in under a decade, and…
The Accountability Gap: Private Military Companies in International Law
Picture this: a contractor employed by a company registered in one country, hired by another government, operating in a third nation, shoots someone. Who's accountable? If you answered "literally nobody," congratulations—you've understood…
When War Comes to the High Street: Can International Law Survive Urban Battlefields?
Here's an uncomfortable truth: war has moved to the cities, and the rulebook is struggling to keep up. From Aleppo to Mariupol, from Gaza to Mosul, modern conflicts aren't being fought in empty deserts or fields anymore. They're happening…
Has International Law Fallen Behind Modern Warfare? The Legal Gap Around Drones and Autonomous Weapons
The pace of technological change in warfare has outstripped the evolution of international law. Drones, autonomous systems, and AI-assisted targeting have transformed how states conduct operations, yet the core legal framework governing…
Why Intent Matters: The Legal Thresholds Behind the Most Serious International Allegations
There's something uniquely troubling about watching a word lose its meaning in real time. 'Genocide' once conjured images of the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica- systematic campaigns to exterminate entire peoples. Now it's become a…
When Mandates Stretch Too Far: The Quiet Risk of Institutional Overreach
Modern institutions - regulators, commissions, agencies and administrative bodies - sit at the centre of public life. They set standards, issue decisions, evaluate risks and interpret rules that shape everything from financial conduct to…
South Africa's Case: A Study in Flawed Logic
Less than three months after the 7 October terrorist attacks, South Africa launched its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The Legal Architecture of Outer Space: Preparing for the Next Frontier of Governance
Outer space has long been described as humanity's "final frontier," but in legal terms, it's becoming an increasingly urgent domain of governance. What was once the preserve of a handful of states is now occupied by private companies,…
When Exit Becomes the Rule: Treaty Withdrawal and the Future of International Law
International law operates on a fundamental bargain: states voluntarily accept constraints on their behaviour in exchange for predictable rules that advance collective interests. This system of mutual obligation has enabled unprecedented…
When Domestic Courts Become Global Actors: The New Debate Over Judicial Power in International Law
For decades, domestic courts occupied a relatively modest position in the international legal architecture. They were the foot soldiers, not the generals - important for implementing treaties domestically, but hardly central to the…
When Legal Ambition Meets Reality: The ICJ Case That's Reshaping International Justice
On a grey December morning in 2023, South Africa walked into the International Court of Justice in The Hague with one of the most audacious legal challenges in recent memory. The country filed an application accusing Israel of violating…
The Fracturing of International Law: Why Nobody Can Agree on the Rules Anymore
Here's a question that should be simple but increasingly isn't: when a government bombs a building, kills civilians in a raid, or detains suspected militants without trial, is it legal?
When Protection Becomes Impunity: Rethinking Diplomatic Immunity for the Modern Era
Diplomatic immunity faces a legitimacy crisis, but reforming it without endangering envoys worldwide requires multilateral coordination, not unilateral restrictions.
The Crime of Aggression: Racing Ahead of Legal Foundations
International law has always struggled with the crime of aggression. Theoretically, it stands as the gravest breach of international peace - the "supreme international crime" from which all others flow. In practice, however, it remains one…
The Future of Sanctions Law: Balancing Power and Principle
Sanctions have become the go-to tool of modern diplomacy, a way to hold wrongdoers accountable without resorting to military force. But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, their use has exploded in recent and it’s lead to something…
The Erosion of Due Process: How 'Efficiency' Is Becoming an Excuse for Arbitrary Power
Over the past decade, a subtle but dangerous shift has taken place in how governments and institutions understand due process. Procedures once regarded as the foundation of fairness , (open tenders, transparent decision-making, and clearly…
The ICJ Advisory Opinion: Why Context Matters in Assessing Conduct on the Ground
The International Court of Justice’s latest advisory opinion on Israel’s conduct in Gaza has reignited long-standing debates over fairness, context, and credibility in international law. While presented as a neutral interpretation of legal…
Maintaining the Independence of International Law- Finding the balance in a time of heated debate
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds a unique position in the framework of international law; both as a part of the United Nations and as the arbiter of some of the most contentious cases and advisory opinions. Its position…