Legal Review Training
The increasing complexity of weapons requires a robust national legal review process to ensure that the development and use of weapons comply with both international and domestic legal obligations. Regardless of whether a State acquires a new weapon from a trusted ally or a large weapons manufacturer, or develops it independently, a national system to assess the legality of weapons mitigates legal risk and serves as a confidence-building measure. Acquiring an existing weapon from an allied State does not guarantee its legality under international law, as legal obligations can vary across States.
APILS offers training on the conduct of legal reviews for legal advisors and policymakers. Our experts possess practical and technical expertise, and are internationally recognised authorities on the legal review process. Our courses are designed to provide practical, in-depth knowledge of international law applicable to weapons and the legal review process, ensuring consistent and effective legal review outcomes and recommendations.
Certification Course
After participating in our foundational Certification Course, attendees should be able to:
- identify and restate the rules and principles of international law that relate to the possession and use of weapons in armed conflict;
- assess whether a capability constitutes a new weapon, means or method of warfare;
- determine whether the normal or expected use of the capability is consistent with the applicable rules and principles of international law;
- formulate restrictions and guidelines to enhance compliance with international law in the use of the capability.
This course can be delivered in various modes, including face-to-face (preferred), hybrid and online, typically over two to three days.
Advanced Course
After participating in our Advanced Course, attendees should be able to:
- identify unique legal challenges posed by emerging technologies, such as autonomous weapon systems, cyber capabilities, and space weapons;
- determine whether the normal or expected use of the capability based on an emerging technology is consistent with the applicable rules and principles of international law;
- formulate restrictions and guidelines to enhance compliance with international law in the use of the capability.
This course can be delivered in various modes, including face-to-face (preferred), hybrid and online, typically over two days.
Custom Programs
We can tailor our courses to meet the specific needs of a particular State. For States seeking to establish a national legal review process, we can provide bespoke training on how to create a policy framework that integrates the legal review process into an existing weapon acquisition system. We can offer examples of national policy documents to help establish an efficient framework and inform key stakeholders of legal review requirements.
Contact
Contact us at gro.slipa@ofni for a confidential, no-obligation discussion regarding your legal review process and training needs.
