Mr Christopher Thomas NAB7.18 and Dr Devika Hovell NAB6.32

This course is available on the MSc in Conflict Studies, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Women, Peace and Security, Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSEforYou.

Some prior knowledge of international law is useful but not essential.

This half-unit course examines the law relating to when it is permissible to use force (jus ad bellum). The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of the principles of international law that regulate the use of force in international society. It concentrates on the prohibition of resort to force in Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and the exceptions to that prohibition. It looks in detail at the right of self-defence, humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect, pro-democratic intervention, the protection of nationals and the criminalization of aggression. The use of force by or with the authorization of the United Nations is also considered.

20 hours of seminars in the MT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

There will be a reading week in Week 6 of Michaelmas Term. 

One 2,000 word essay.

A detailed reading list will be issued at the first seminar. See, in particular: Dinstein, War, Aggression and Self-Defence (5th ed, 2011); Gray, International Law and the Use of Force (3rd ed., 2008).

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the main exam period.