International Judicial Monitor
Published by the American Society of International Law and the International Judicial Academy
Oct/Nov 2007, Volume 2 Issue 3
 

IJA Docket

Intellectual Property Seminar in Argentina – August 2007
In August 2007, the International Judicial Academy sponsored a seminar titled “Justice and Health Research and Development” in three cities in Argentina. Thirty-five professionals attended the sessions in LaPlata, while the seminars in Buenos Aires and San Carlos de Bariloche were attended by 120 and 42 people, respectively. A primary focus of the seminar was the relationship between intellectual property laws and the health sector, specifically biotechnology, and its effects on the research and development of drugs and medicines. Dr. James Apple, the President of the Academy, stressed the vital role judges play in the discussion of intellectual property protection laws. He commented that, “if judges are going to adjudicate on intellectual property, they need to have an understanding of technology and engineering.” Accompanying Dr. James Apple to Argentina were Federal District Judges from Maryland and Indiana, as well as partners in two highly respected law firms in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA. The presenters from the U.S. provided more insight into the field of intellectual property, addressing themes relating to U.S. law with respect to patent, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as global issues for intellectual property and criminal and civil enforcement of laws.

Former Sir Richard May Participant to Serve on Bosnian War Crimes Chamber
This past spring, Judge Patricia Whalen, a participant in the Academy’s first Sir Richard May Seminar on International Law and International Courts was selected to serve a two-year term on the International Criminal Tribunal for Bosnia. Judge Whalen will join another international judge and a judge from Bosnia-Herzegovina on the bench. A Vermont Family Court Magistrate since 1990, Judge Whalen has worked extensively with the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ). As a member of IAWJ she helped create the Afghan Women’s Judicial Education Project, an organization that facilitates exchanges between female Afghani judges and Vermont judges. In anticipation of her departure for Sarajevo in September, Judge Whalen commented that she believes the role of an international judge focuses on “looking at different ways to manage cases” in order to help improve the judicial process of investigating, trying, and sentencing accused war criminals. She attributed her interest in international tribunals to her experiences while attending the Sir Richard May Seminar.

Third Sir Richard May Seminar – September 2007
For the third consecutive year, from September 23 – 28, 2007, the Academy conducted the Sir Richard May Seminar on International Law and International Courts in The Hague, Netherlands, with support from the JEHT Foundation, the American Society of International Law, the Atlantic and Pacific Exchange Program, and the Judiciary Leadership Development Council. In addition to the 26 state and federal judges from the United States, four Argentine judges attended the seminar as part of the Academy’s delegation. During the one week seminar, the judges heard lectures from leading international lawyers and international organization officials, and visited the international courts and dispute resolution tribunals located in The Hague. Among the organizations and institutions that the group visited were the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Conference on Private International Law, and Eurojust. During the visit to the ICJ, Judge Thomas Buergenthal, the American representative on the Court, addressed the participants. At the ICC, the participants met with Judge Philip Kirsch, the President of the Court, and Dr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor of the Court. Hon. Hans Corell, former Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the Legal Counsel of the United Nations also made two presentations. The lectures presented to the Seminar participants included: the history and development of international law; the United Nations system, international criminal law and international criminal tribunals. Twenty-four of the judges received scholarships from the IJA to offset part of the Seminar tuition, long distance airfare, and hotel expenses. The Seminar ended with a closing banquet at which certificates were presented.

Insurance Seminar in Argentina – November 2007
From November 9-19, the International Judicial Academy will host its 2nd Conference on Justice and Insurance in Argentina. The seminar will focus on various issues related to insurance, including, exemptions, workers’ compensation, risk legislation, and the role of reinsurance and reinsurers. Dr. Ricardo LiRosi, Resident Director of the Academy office in Buenos Aires, and Dr. Aldo Alvarez, President of the Academy’s Development and Support Board in Buenos Aires, will coordinate and direct the seminar. The U.S. delegation will include Dr. James Apple and experts in the fields of insurance and reinsurance, as well as state and federal judges with experience in handling such issues in the courtroom.

Upcoming IJA Events
From January 21-25, 2008, an IJA delegation from the Washington, DC and Buenos Aires offices will participate in a seminar on scientific evidence in Basel, Switzerland.

May 2008 – 6th Conference on Judges and Scientific Evidence (Bringing Judges Closer to the Sciences)

 

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ASIl & International Judicial AcademyInternational Judicial Monitor
© 2007 – The American Society of International Law and International Judicial Academy.

Editors: James G. Apple, Andrew Solomon and Maria Staunton.
IJM welcomes comments, suggestions, and submissions.
Please contact the IJM editors at IJM@asil.org.