McGill University's Institute of Air and Space Law has a rich history of education, public service and scholarship. Its loyal graduates today serve in some of the highest legal positions in the bar, the industry, and governmental institutions in some 120 nations around the world. Read more...
Prof. Paul Dempsey: Why it’s important to keep ICAO in Montreal
Qatar’s proposal to move the International Civil Aviation Organization’s headquarters to the Persian Gulf would be a significant blow to Montreal.
Aerospace is Quebec’s leading export industry, accounting for more than $11 billion annually in sales. It employs more than 40,000 workers in more than 200 facilities in the greater Montreal area.
This is a crucial time for action. Canada, Quebec and Montreal must demonstrate that they value ICAO’s presence in our community, or they may fail to dissuade ICAO delegates from moving to Qatar.
Read the full letter... (originally published in The Montreal Gazette, May 14, 2013)
Latest edition of the Annals now available
Volume XXXVII (2012) has been published!
See the table of contents and download our Volumes Order Form [.docx] (as May 2013) to order your copy.
Space Security Index Working Group meeting in April 2013
The Space Security Index project partners were proud to host the 10th annual Space Security Working Group workshop at McGill University's Faculty of Law on April 12-13, 2013.
The Space Security Index is a joint research project of the Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University, Secure World Foundation, Project Ploughshares and The Simons Foundation, in cooperation with the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
The purpose of this Working Group meeting was to seek feedback on relevant developments in 2012 through a review of the draft research and a debate of their implications for the security of outer space, based on open discussion held under the Chatham House rule. The discussion will inform the development of the Space Security Index 2013 report, to be released in the summer of 2013.
See the SSWG 2013 Program [.pdf]
A Letter from our Director, Prof. Paul Dempsey
Recently, the McGill Daily published an article describing an effort by a student organization – Demilitarize McGill – to protest activities at several McGill University institutions, including the Institute of Air & Space Law [IASL], a graduate program of the Faculty of Law. We wish to set the record straight.
IASL class of 2012-2013
Celebrating 60 years at the IASL
The Institute of Air and Space Law looks back on a rich history of over 60 years of education, public service and scholarship. Over 900 of its loyal graduates today serve in some of the highest legal positions; at the bar, in the industry; and for governmental and international agencies in some 120 nations around the world. Come and join us at the IASL!
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6th IAASS International Space Safety Conference: Safety Is Not An Option
21-23 May 2013, McGill Faculty of Law
McGill's Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL) and the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) invite you to this conference, which will be an opportunity to reflect and exchange information on a number of topics in space safety and sustainability of national and international interest. The conference will also a forum to promote mutual understanding, trust, and the widest possible professional international cooperation in such matters.
Visit the IAASS conference website for the programme, registration information, and full details.
Manfred Lachs Conference on the Regulation of Emerging Modes of Aerospace Transportation
24-25 May 2013, Centre Mont-Royal
Air and space transportation systems over the last few decades have evolved remarkably over the past decades, including the appearance of vehicles that can operate seamlessly in the atmosphere and in outer space, and which pose challenges to the international legal boundaries, as well as to airspace and outer space legal regimes.
Featuring seven separate sessions and a gala dinner, this two-day conference aims to:
(a) assess the current situation and future plans for aerospace transportation;
(b) critically examine and identify precisely the regulatory challenges to operation of aerospace vehicles; and
(c) suggest viable policy and regulatory steps (mechanisms) that may be considered by States and other stakeholders to facilitate aerospace transportation and to ensure the safety of global aviation.
The results of the conference will be presented at major appropriate international fora, and the conference papers will be published in a book and distributed worldwide.
Download the Manfred Lachs Conference programme & Registration form [.pdf]. We also have a Call for papers (deadline for abstracts: February 8, 2013).
Organized by McGill's Institute of Air and Space Law, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Association for Advancement of Space Safety, in collaboration with the International Foundation for Aviation, Aerospace & Development, and w ith the support of the Erin J. C. Arsenault Fund at McGill University.
See the conference website: www.icao.int/Meetings/REMAT
For more information, email conferences [dot] iasl [at] mcgill [dot] ca (conferences.iasl)conferences [dot] iasl [at] mcgill [dot] ca (@mcgill.ca).
21-22 September 2013 - ICAO/McGill University Pre-Assembly Symposium - ICAO Headquarters, Montreal, Canada
On Facilitating Air Transport-Passengers, Cargo, Technology and Profitability
ICAO and McGill University, Institute of Air & Space Law are again cooperating for the Fourth ICAO/McGill University Pre-Assembly Symposium, from 21 to 22 September 2013, at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal. This Symposium will address key issues identified by ICAO and McGill University in the air transport economics and navigation fields on operational, management and policy levels. The principal objective of the Symposium is to provide a preparatory forum for State delegates and stakeholders attending and/or interested in the issues proposed for the 38th Session of the ICAO Assembly that starts on 24 September 2013.
This event will feature top-level speakers engaged in interactive panel discussions. With the newest technologies and profitability as important guideposts, the event will focus on many questions including:
- How are air passengers and freight impacted by impediments to operational efficiency?
- What impact do taxes, fees and charges, regulation, security & facilitation have on air carriers and the public?
- How do we balance aviation security and facilitation?
- How do we enhance seamless connectivity between air transport and transport modes?
- How to secure the billion dollars needed to finance infrastructure and air navigation systems?
- How do we ensure that the inherent advantages of air transport (i.e., time) are not eroded by regulatory, technological, procedural and structural impediments to efficiency?
- How well does existing and future technology facilitate the flow of passengers, air freight and air traffic management?
- Cargo security, e-passports, e-visas and other documentation-- How well do they deal with emergent threats to security?
- What are the opportunities, efficiencies and challenges of passenger profiling?
- Do security, safety and consumer protection laws and regulations serve the public well?
- What are the tools, policies and best practices that will foster regulatory harmonization across boundaries?
- How can ICAO improve cooperation at a global level?
For more information: ICAOMcGill_Symposium [at] icao [dot] int
Web: www.icao.int/Meetings/ICAO-McGill2013
Be an Exhibitor! Exhibition Information [.doc]
Become a Sponsor! Sponsorship Information [.doc] (rev. April 2013)
SAVE THE DATE: 25-26 October 2013
Fifth annual McGill Conference on International Aviation Liability & Insurance
Hilton Montreal Bonaventure
The Fifth annual McGill Conference on International Aviation Liability & Insurance will provide a review of contemporary laws, jurisprudence and developments in International Air Law and Liability Insurance from the perspective of airlines, airports, ANSPs, insurers, manufacturers and lessors.
This event will gather together some of the world’s leading experts to address the following topics:
- Recent Developments in Aviation Liability and Insurance
- Unruly Passengers and Liability for Acts of Unlawful Interference
- Jurisdiction & Forum Non Conveniens
- Liability of Manufacturers and Lessors of Aircraft, Engines & Component Parts
- Comparative Interpretations of the Montreal Convention of 1999 and their Impact on Airlines, Manufacturers, Insurers & Claimants
Two simulations are also planned:
- Moot Court Appellate Argument
- Insurance Negotiations
In addition, the conference will host luncheons and receptions to facilitate networking between attorneys, insurers, air carriers, manufacturers and governmental representatives.
This event has been accredited by the Barreau du Québec for 13.25 hours of continuing legal education for jurists. No. certication: 10068643.
For more information contact: Maria D’Amico at maria [dot] damico [at] mcgill [dot] ca
