New domain, new theme, new RSS feed
November 23rd, 2009 • Personal, Site/Technical • No comments
Quick update that is important for anyone following this site via RSS.
I’ve finally made the move to a more sensible domain name - http://devonwhittle.com (no more confusion over who James is), and I’ve also found a great new theme that I installed at the same time.
More importantly, the domain change means the RSS feed has changed. This may be the last post you see unless you change your RSS subscription to point to here. Things might still keep working without the change, but better to be safe than sorry.
Things might pick up here after Christmas, but I’ve got 12,000 words to write for university before then, so busy enough right now to not think about blogging.
Popularity: 28% [?]
Hartmann convicted for contempt at the ICTY
September 18th, 2009 • ICL, Law • No comments
The judgement isn’t out yet, but EJIL:Talk! reports that Florence Hartmann has been found guilty of contempt by an ICTY Trial Chamber for disclosing information that was protected by an order of an ICTY Chamber.
This was a particularly controversial case – Hartmann used to work as a spokesman for the ICTY Prosecutor, there were some issues involving the rights of States, and the information that she disclosed, in a book and an article, was argued to be already in the public domain. The Chamber seems to have disagreed – finding that the information was not in the public domain and fining her €7,000.
From the looks of the summary of the judgement, it likes like the ICTY is continuing down a very strict reading of the Rules in relation to contempt, that lowers the bar for contempt prosecutions. While, as noted by Kevin Heller at Opinio Juris, “There is no question that Hartmann knowingly violated Tribunal rules”, should this be enough to justify a finding of contempt?
Rule 77 of both Tribunals states that “The Tribunal in the exercise of its inherent power may hold in contempt those who knowingly and wilfully interfere with its administration of justice” (it also provides some examples of actions that can result in a finding of contempt, including disclosure of information in contravention of an order).
Following Margetic, Jovic, Haxiu and Nobilo, and mostly recently Nshogoza, the Tribunals have taken a very strict approach to this rule.
Popularity: 29% [?]
What do you learn at a “Center for Transnational Legal Studies”?
September 16th, 2009 • Law, University • 3 comments
So I’m almost three weeks in to studies at the Center for Transnational Legal Studies here in London and the question has already come up a number of times – what exactly is that you are studying there?
Things are only just starting, but here’s a brief of summary of how it’s turning out.
First, it’s a lot of comparative law (or at least critiquing comparative law). In the core, compulsory unit, we have delved head first into how legal scholars classify and compare legal systems and how law is ‘transplanted/exported/shared’ between jurisdictions. The big debate has been the appropriateness of using ‘foreign law’ (by judges particularly), when and how it can be used and by whom.
Second, so far at least, it isn’t really about international law. In the subjects I’ve selected, the only convention we study is the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (though in the first two days we also did a practice exercise using the New York Convention). It has generally been a lot more about conflict (choice) of law issues and abstract legal theory; a mix between comparing jurisdictions and working out how transactions would across jurisdictions.
Third, a lot of what we are learning is from each other. By throwing 71 different students together from universities all over the world CTLS is hoping to teach us a lot about other legal cultures just by having us work together and argue over different approaches. It is actually quite interesting when students and lecturers from different countries start debating and seeing cultures clash in the class room. The difference in educational culture alone is fascinating.
During my first week here I was distracted by a big essay I had due, I’m slowly now getting used to how things work at Swan House in London. There’s been some thought provoking material so far, so hopefully, some of it will make its way here too.
Popularity: 35% [?]
How to get a job in Chambers at the ICTR
September 4th, 2009 • ICTR Internship • 1 comment
The Associate Legal Officer (ALO) is the general entry point into Chambers at the ICTR. It is described as a “P-2″ position by the United Nations requires you to be admitted to practice, have two years of experience and a law degree.
Beyond those relatively simple requirements, the ALOs I’ve met have had a variety of different backgrounds here at the ICTR. Some are UN employees fresh from non-legal work in other UN agencies, others are doing post-graduate study and quite a few are ex-corporate (or taking a sabbatical from their firm).
From what I can gather here are a few tips on paid employment in Chambers at the ICTR: Read more »
Popularity: 72% [?]
Quick Plug for Melbourne Op Shop Tours
September 3rd, 2009 • Australia, Melbourne • No comments
I don’t have time to post much at the moment, combination of wrestling with Centrelink over Youth Allowance and university studies are getting me down, but I just wanted to briefly mention Melbourne Op Shop Tours – a new tour company set up by a few friends of mine – Jess, Jenny & Richmond.
It’s a tour company with a difference – they take you on tours around the Op Shop (Thrift Store) hot spots around Melbourne to help you find a bargain in recycled clothing. Op Shop fashion is massive at the moment and a good ‘eco-friendly’ and inexpensive way to shop.
I think this sounds like a very interesting idea and look forward to seeing how they go. First tour starts this weekend (special opening offer of $25 per person) and include a public transport trip around Melbourne’s Op Shops, styling tips from Jess & Jenny and tips on how to maximise your op shopping.
Book via the website if you’re interested.
Popularity: 26% [?]
Bye bye Arusha, Hello London (via Italy)
August 22nd, 2009 • Personal • No comments
A quick post because I’m currently sunning myself in southern Italy trying not to think about a university essay that needs writing.
My six months in Arusha are now over, and Clare and I are almost in London (although with nowhere to stay yet). The ICTR was amazing, hopefully I’ll post more on that in the future depending on how crazy school work is. And CTLS looks like it will be very exciting (but busy) – it’ll be nice to be studying again.
Currently we are visiting friends in Lecce, Italy. We get back to London the day before classes (bad planning on my part) and have a few house inspections lined up. Plus I’ve got less than a fortnight to make my paper on frivolous motions at the ICTR shine (any suggestions?).
If you’re in London, let me know and, if I’m not too stressed out, we can meet up for a coffee. We’ll be there until December.
Ciao!
Popularity: 26% [?]
Recent comments