When can states resort to military force? How can those who perpetrate genocide or crimes against humanity be held to account? What are Canada’s international obligations to mitigate climate change? And what can states do to regulate international trade and investment?
Why Study International Law at Queen’s?
International law not only governs Canada’s relationships with other states, but also increasingly shapes domestic policy in Canada. From the Paris Agreement on climate change to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, from extradition agreements for accused criminals to international trade pacts, international legal rules leave virtually no aspect of Canadian life untouched. International law is an essential subject for every law student.
Exciting careers in international law are available in a wide range of fields and locations. Whether you want to work at a Canadian law firm in Ottawa or Toronto, as a Canadian government lawyer, at an international law firm in New York, London or Paris, or at an international court or organization in The Hague, Geneva, or Washington, D.C, studying international law at Queen’s can take you there!
At Queen’s Law, students have the unique opportunity to attend an intensive summer course in international law at Queen’s University’s fabled castle in England, and can delve into a wide range of specialist courses taught by the Law School’s internationally renowned faculty in the upper-year program.
There are also many international law activities taking place on campus throughout the year, including presentations by visiting speakers, international law moot courts, and the annual Queen’s Institute on Trade Policy, which provides training to Canadian government and private sector leaders on trade law and policy. In addition, two international law journals are published by Queen’s Law: The PKI Global Justice Journal and the Canadian Journal of Commercial Arbitration (CJCA). Queen’s Law students have the unique opportunity to get involved with these influential publications.
Courses
International Law Programs at the Castle (1st year summer)*
Upper year courses (2nd and 3rd year)**
*A student who participates in the International Law Programs at the castle can still take any upper-year international law courses, as the content of the courses at the castle is complementary to the content of the upper-year courses.
**Not all upper-year courses in international law are offered every year, but we make an effort to offer every course at least every second year.
International Law Programs at the Castle
Our flagship offerings in international law are the “International Law Programs”, eight-week summer courses in international law that we offer in May and June every year at Bader College at Herstmonceux Castle in Southern England.
Students choose from two streams, Public International Law and International Business Law. Both offer a comprehensive introduction to international law and provide Queen’s Law students with a head start on a career in international law. Read the 10 Reasons to Attend the International Law Programs.
Faculty
