Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 200220

Coordinator Manuel Ventura Opens in new window

Description This subject analyses the current state of international criminal law and its place in the modern international legal system in light of important recent developments. It discusses why States should reform their national criminal laws to accord with international developments. It focuses on both the substantive and procedural law. It examines relevant international legal concepts, general principles of international criminal law, and how international criminal tribunals function. It considers particular international crimes, participation in such crimes, defences, and important recent cases such as Pinochet and Slobodan Milosevic.

School Law

Discipline International Law

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 2004

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the fundamental principles of international criminal law, including an understanding of the issues involved in the regulation of international crimes.
2. Critically evaluate the principal institutions of the international criminal legal system and explain their procedures at the international level and the principle sources of law that they apply in resolving disputes.
3. Describe the major differences between international and national law in dealing with acts that constitute international crimes.
4. Assess the major challenges/weaknesses/effectiveness to/of the international criminal law and the international criminal legal system.
5. Apply principles of international criminal law to contemporary issues by problem solving.
6. Research develop, refine and produce short written essays and make presentations to the class that demonstrate clear, well structured, appropriately referenced, critical analysis and arguments about salient points of international criminal law.

Subject Content

The Evolution of International Criminal Law
The Structure of the International Criminal Legal System
The Sources of International Criminal Law
The Fundamental Principles of International Criminal Law
The Definition of Substantive Crimes
Establishment of International Criminal Tribunals
The Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals
The United Nations ad hoc Tribunals (Former Yugoslavia/Rwanda)
Other international(ised) Tribunals
The International Criminal Court
Jurisdiction and Procedural Issues
International v National Jurisdiction
Immunity from Jurisdiction
Punishment under International Criminal Law
The Function and Role of Truth Commissions