International law

Issues in international law are always raised in our news and current affairs. In this section of the blog, we explore current issues as well as discuss general questions about the international legal system, international organisations, international criminal law, EU law and resolving international disputes. Many topics in EU law and policy are discussed that may have relevance for UK citizens and businesses.

Have a browse for topics of interest. If you need legal advice on anything you come across, Contact Law can put you in touch with a solicitor who specialises in your area of law, whether it be UK law, EU law or international law.

Petition calls for debate over fate of terrorism suspect

More than 100,000 Brits have signed an e-petition for the House of Commons to debate the case of Babar Ahmad, the British citizen held for seven years on suspicion, but no charge, of terrorism. Ahmad was arrested on two different occasions. In 2003, he was detained during a raid on his home in Tooting, London. [...]

UK’s approach to human rights can have serious repercussions

The critical approach of the United Kingdom to the European Convention of Human Rights can potentially damage other countries’ adherence to human rights. This caution came from Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, as he visited London yesterday.  The Council is the supervising body of the European Convention of Human Rights and its [...]

UK Attorney General to Challenge power of European Court of Human Rights

The Government’s main legal advisor, the Attorney General Dominic Grieve, is to address the European Court of Human Rights on two key issues in November. Firstly, he both is critical of the Court’s view on prisoners’ voting rights and also believes that the principle of subsidiarity should be further emphasised. The principle of subsidiarity is [...]

US extradition treaty with UK is fair, finds judge

An independent review conducted by a former Court of Appeal judge has found that the extradition treaty between the UK and the USA is fair and not biased against Britons. Home Secretary Theresa May commissioned the review by Sir Scott Baker, who found that the treaty “does not operate in an unbalanced manner.”

BBC Proms concert interrupted by protesters

In what seems like an unusual target of pro-Palestinian protests, protesters last night disrupted the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s BBC Proms concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The performance was interrupted to such an extent that BBC Radio 3 said it had to interrupt its live broadcast twice “as a result of sustained audience disturbance”. The [...]

EU carbon emissions credit system could spark trade war

New plans to include non-EU airlines in the EU emissions trading scheme could start a damaging trade war, warn European airlines. Airlines from Russia, China and the US could retaliate if forced to obtain carbon credits in order to fly in and out of the EU from 2012. The move could push fares for customers [...]

MPs continue with review of extradition rules

MPs are conducting a review of the current extradition rules in order to determine if the High Court can rule to allow the extradition of the hacker, Gary McKinnon, to the USA.

EU bill to reaffirm sovereignty of Westminster over Brussels

The foreign secretary, William Hague, has announced that the government proposes to legally enshrine in British law the sovereignty of Westminster over the EU. The plans were announced at the Conservative conference in Birmingham this week, and were met with a standing ovation from the audience.

What is the legal import if the Iraq war was found to be illegal?

The legality of the invasion and occupation of Iraq since 2003 has been widely debated since it began. The political leaders of the US and UK have argued the war was legal, while many others, including international leaders and prominent legal experts, have argued that it was illegal.

Controversial ECJ ruling on legal privilege jeopardises in-house legal advice

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that legal privilege does not extend to the advice of in-house lawyers in antitrust cases. Legal privilege is a long-established legal principle that allows litigants protection from disclosing documents on the grounds that they were privileged communications between the litigant and their legal support. The rationale behind [...]