17th July 2021
Location

Online Seminar via Zoom

Online Seminar via Zoom

International Justice Day 

Saturday 17 July 2021 | 14:00 – 15:30 BST 

On Saturday, July 17th Doughty Street Chambers will mark International Justice Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This webinar will reflect on the importance of obtaining justice for victims of serious international crimes, covering subjects such as the prosecution of environmental crimes. A detailed agenda will be circulated soon.

The event will be chaired by Kirsty Brimelow QC. Speakers will include Doughty Street’s newly appointed Associate Tenants, Sir Howard Morrison QC and Fergal Gaynor; and Doughty Street member Peta-Louise Bagott.

Howard will discuss:

  • The judicial selection process at the ICC and the issues arising from this;
  • Potential changes [required] to the architecture of the Rome Statute and/or international law to account for environmental crimes as potential Crimes Against Humanity, touching on whether ecocide movement will achieve this objective;
  • How 21st Century issues such as climate change and population movements could give rise to different types of conflicts not seen before, and how the International Criminal Court will need to adapt to meet these challenges and remain relevant.

Fergal will discuss:

  • The importance of ensuring respect for the Rule of Law in international criminal justice as a means of reinforcing national, regional and international security, and how non-respect for the Rule of Law ultimately undermines national security;
  • An examination of the fundamental pillars of the Rule of Law in international criminal justice, including ensuring that the law is adequately accessible; respecting the independence and impartiality of judges and prosecutors; ensuring compliance with treaty obligations, including the dispute resolution provisions of treaties such as the Rome Statute; applying the law equally to all, without adverse distinction on grounds such as nationality or religion of perpetrator or victim.

Peta-Louise will discuss:

  • Working in international criminal law as a junior practitioner;
  • Opportunities and routes into this type of work. 

Access the event brochure here.