Annual Report 2016/2017

Submitted by Section Co-Chair, Laura Cundari

Summary of Meetings

Number of Meetings Held: 3

February 1, 2017
Guest Speakers: Panelists: Laura Cundari, Richard Lane, Tina M. Cicchetti and Carolyn McCool
Meeting Title/Topic: Careers in International Law
Synopsis: Careers in International Law held at the Peter Allard School of Law. This session involved presentations by local practitioners in International Law and was coordinated with the Law School Career Services and was designed to provide Law School students with an overview of career options in International Law. The panelists were Laura Cundari, Richard Lane, Tina M. Cicchetti and Carolyn McCool and they addressed questions such as how they got involved in International Law and whether it was possible to practice International Law locally in Canada and the manner in which International Law can be practiced. It was well attended and the panelists received positive feedback on its value from the attending students.

February 24, 2017
Guest Speaker: Professor Nankivell, Professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Center for Security Studies in Honolulu
Meeting Title/Topic: Past, Present, and Future of the South China Sea Disputes
Synopsis: Presentation on the Past, Present, and Future of the South China Sea Disputes webinar with satellite presentations in Vancouver and Victoria. Professor Nankivell spoke on the history, key players and legal regimes involved in the South China Sea disputes and the important question of why parties are disputing the South China Sea. More specifically she spoke on whether the use of the legal regimes have encouraged or hindered the resolution of the South China Sea disputes. A discussion also took place concerning the disputant's interests including resources which are at stake in the disputes and how international law has played a role. Professor provided her perspectives on what the future holds for the South China Sea.South China Seas Disputes presentation by Professor Nankaviell.

June 19,2017
Guest Speaker: Professor Turp, Professor of Law at the University of Montreal
Meeting Title/Topic: Canadian Munitions Sales to Saudi Arabia and Human Rights
Synopsis: Presentation on Canadian Munitions Sales to Saudi Arabia and Human Rights webinar with satellite presentations in Vancouver and Victoria. Professor Turp presented on the litigation in Canadian domestic courts to challenge the export permit granted by the Canadian Federal Government to export munitions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The basis of the challenge, which has been heard in the Federal Court of Canada, is that there is a risk that the arms sales would result in the arms being used by the Saudi government against its own citizens contrary to international human rights law. Professor Turp spoke on the domestic and international law which were raised in the litigation.

Comments and Observations of the Chair

Participation can be a challenge given our location in Vancouver. In the past the section has focused on public international law and international trade law, which impacts a narrow group of practitioners. Next year we will be trying to expand the focus to include international arbitration more generally and cross-border transaction topics. The Co-Chairs also participate in the National Section on International Law in the NISL teleconferences and engage in the national discussion on trends in International Law such as the negotiation by Canada of new trade treaties and more specifically on the effect on International law and policy associated with the 2016 US Presidential election.