Space Law and Policy Course (CPD) Completed May 2014
The 2014 Space Law and Policy Course for practitioners, civil servants, academics and space sector professionals took place in London during May 2014. A wide range of delegates participated in the lectures, discussions and case studies, resulting in a stimulating series of meetings over three days. Comments following the course uniformly praised the content, presentation and range of material covered. “Very rewarding and enriching!” “I was most interested to listen to people around me with extensive expertise as well as the speakers.” “I very much enjoyed the course and the friendly atmosphere. Every speaker was helpful and an expert in their domain.” “The quality of the course and information was outstanding.”
The Course comprised lectures and interactive case studies. Participants had access to the IALS Law Library during the course. Those considering a post-graduate degree at ISPL were able to informally discuss their interest with the Director.
The Course provided an introduction to:
• The space environment and space technology
• Orbits, their characteristics and management, and types of spacecraft
• Spectrum management
• The law governing space activities: principles & sources of space law, including conventions and treaties, national law and policies
• Comparison between space law and other legal regimes: Antarctic, maritime and air law
• Peaceful use of space, military activities & arms control
• Sovereignty
• Property rights
• Risk, liability and insurance
• The law as relates to specific applications: telecommunications and broadcasting, remote sensing, scientific experiment and exploration, manned activities including the International Space Station, unmanned activities
• Space policy and the institutions that implement them
The Course was intended for policy-makers, legal professionals, space sector executives and engineers, officials of government and international bodies, academics and post-graduate degree candidates.
The course was designed to be accessible to those in legal, technical or business training or employment. Previous knowledge of law or policy was not required. It was particularly appropriate for those working in the space sector who wished to increase their knowledge of the current legal and policy framework, in order to take full advantage of the available opportunities and to create new ones.
The Course was intended for a variety of individuals.
• Satellite manufacturing or operation team members seeking an understanding of legal issues relating to design, manufacture or provision of space products and services
• Law, business and technology post-graduate students interested in the field
• Insurers and executives who want the tools to evaluate legal aspects of risk and liability
• Managers and team leaders of space operations who wish to better understand the legal and policy issues they encounter, and to be able to plan more proactively
• IGO and space agency team members concerned with national and international issues arising from activities in space, such as earth observation, and their regulation
• Lawyers and jurists whose practice brings them into contact with space law through legal evidence from satellites, contractual matters or international commerce
Note: Undergraduates will be able to register for our short course in space law later this year.
CPD
The course qualified for 15 hours CPD for Solicitors (SRA) and for Barristers. Other professionals: please contact your respective professional bodies about whether our courses will qualify for CPD.