Call for Papers - The International Law of Military Operations: Mapping the Field

The International Society for Military Law and the Law of War and Exeter Law School are pleased to invite subject matter experts to submit proposals for papers to be presented at a conference on ‘The International Law of Military Operations’ to be held on 21-23 June 2016 at Exeter, United Kingdom.

The purpose of the conference is to develop our understanding of the international law of military operations from a comparative and practical perspective. The event will map the field by exploring the meaning and scope of the concept of operations law. It will also explore questions of current interest, such as the legal aspects of information operations, military deployments short of armed conflict, and the impact of human rights law. The conference will offer a unique opportunity for legal advisors and others working in the field to debate current legal challenges and to share national experiences and doctrine.

Confirmed speakers include Major-General Blaise Cathcart (Judge Advocate General of the Canadian Armed Forces), Professor Terry Gill (University of Amsterdam), Steven Hill (NATO Office of Legal Affairs), Professor Jann Kleffner (Swedish Defence University) and Professor Michael N. Schmitt (US Naval War College).

Proposals addressing the following topics are particularly welcome:

the concept, meaning and scope of the international law of military operations;
the place of the international law of military operations within the system of public international law as a potential lex specialis regime;
the relevance and impact of particular branches of public international law—such as the law of the sea, air law, the law of international responsibility, international human rights law, the law of State jurisdiction and immunity—on the conduct of overseas military operations and vice versa;
the legal framework of information and influence operations, both during and outside of armed conflict;
current legal developments and legal challenges facing the conduct of overseas military operations, such as the emergence of hybrid threats;
training needs in the area of the international law of military operations and how best to address them.

Proposals should be submitted by 8 April 2016. For further details, please refer to the call for papers and the conference website.

Date: 22 March 2016