Strathmore Law Schoolhosted law students who had the privilege of attending a public lecture by Austrian Prof. August Reinisch.Prof. Reinisch tackled the topic Codification of International Law, in a world where international is turning upside down, as stated by the professor.  The one hour lecture attempted common questions of interest that have risen from the International Law Commission (ILC)’s set of guidelines.

 

Codification turns written law to treaties, and where codification of international law is involved, the aim is to tighten laws and to make them more precise. However issues arise when during the period of codification, uncertainties/reservations are experienced due to various reasons.

 

Prof. Reinisch highlighted the fact that the ILC guidelines have their own pros and cons, adding that a lot of work still needs to be done, that involve various fields needing clarification. Although the odds may seem to be against the ILC guidelines, Prof. Reinisch emphasized that the collective authors for these guidelines provide an easier path for the law to rely on the guidelines.

 

“We don’t know yet if the ILC work will remain as guidelines or will be transformed into treaties,” Prof. Reinisch concluded. A session of question and answer was allowed where the students and delegates asked further questions in the field.

 

Before the talk, delegates who attended this lecture were hosted to a breakfast meeting by SLS’s Dean Dr. Luis Franceschi. The delegates included H.E Austrian Ambassador to Kenya Dr. Herald Gunther, among other diplomats.

 

Prof. Reinisch is an expert in International Law and International Relations, and is also a candidate to the International Law Commission of the United Nations.