JJUA55111U International Diplomatic Law

Diplomatic law is a field of international law governing the worldwide practice of diplomacy by states, nations, and international organisations. Underlying modern diplomatic relations and practice is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, which provides the international legal underpinning for the actions of diplomats around the round, owing to the fact that it is widely ratified by most nation states. The Convention is one of the most successful instruments of international law that have been crafted to date, which within representatives of sending states, and hosting states, both have rights and responsibilities. Under the auspices of the United Nations, it codified existing practices of diplomacy, and allows for the progressive development of the field. The course, emanating from the research activities of the Centre for Comparative and European Constitutional Studies at the Faculty of Law, aims to deliver research-based teaching to the course, taking a direct approach to international diplomatic law by discussing the various aspects of diplomacy that are of relevance for its effectiveness.

The issues to be discussed throughout the term include: the legal establishment of diplomatic relations, the diplomatic immunities and privileges covering both the property and personal elements in their different guises, the categories of diplomatic missions and agents, in addition to focusing on the functions and duties that are legally afforded to such individuals, including the position of Heads of State and Government.

Furthermore, consular law within the realm of international diplomatic law is covered, as is diplomatic asylum and the status of international organisations, including the sui generis nature of European Union, as they try to craft themselves into the state-centred legal field. As the EU legal order becomes a more enhanced entity, its diplomatic ambition shows no sign of letting up, where it both compliments and collides with the traditional practice of diplomacy and diplomatic law. Well-known contemporary situations of persons availing of diplomatic law will be used as case studies throughout in the course, providing a practical element to the international legal framework that is in place, including the diplomatic elements of international practice. The course should be of interest to students who possess an interest in the law of diplomacy, but also those with curiosity for international relations. It will be of particular use for those who aspire to be members of diplomatic services, as well as potential officials in Government Ministries, and other public bodies. Over the length of the course during the semester, the issues covered will provide participants with a more rounded view of international diplomatic law.

The course will include relevant guest lectures and site visits as well as a moot court session and cases to be prepared and presented in groups.

Students are expected to learn and use relevant digital tools, in particular the UN Knowledge Database on Diplomatic Law. Furthermore, the course includes aspects about the digital impact on diplomacy. Specifically, the course has a session dedicated to cyber and diplomacy considering issues of inviolability and immunities in a cyber context.