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)