Category: Space Law Education

ISPL Seminar at European Space Solutions

On Tuesday, 4 December 2012 ISPL held a Seminar at European Space Solutions. The Seminar examined the qualities of systems, procedures, handling, treatment and processing of space-derived data and information against the needs of the diplomatic and legal communities. It gave an indication of what needs to be provided and how it can best be used. Examination of two particular applications provided context for the issues discussed.

Space-derived data can supply useful and at times the only record of the state of affairs at a particular time and location. This ability to provide objective evidence can be invaluable in the enforcement of laws and international commitments, such as carbon emission reduction, as well as resolving diplomatic disputes. However, in the use of such information as legal evidence a number of procedural and substantive criteria must be met. Information that meets the legal criteria can be strongly persuasive in a host of circumstances, not least as an aid to diplomatic negotiations.

Lawyers, judges, diplomats, humanitarian aid providers, as well as those involved in the collection, treatment and interpretation of space-derived data found the Seminar of particular interest.

Click here for the Seminar Program: ISPL Space Solutions Seminar 2012

European Space Solutions was a major 3-day conference, exhibition and business support event. The event brought together business, the public sector, as well as users and developers of space-based solutions to explore how space can make a real difference to the lives, and livelihoods, of people across Europe.   Events included half-day workshops on subjects such as Agriculture, Environmental Monitoring, Ship & Vessel Management and Insurance & Financial Services. Speakers included Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group, and the Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science.

The European Space Expo complemented the conference, a state of the art, interactive public exhibition showcasing the many benefits that EU space programs bring to Europe.

Presentations, including audio files, will shortly be posted on our site.

Evidence from Space: Workshop

A Workshop was held on Tuesday, 5 October as part of the Study for the European Space Agency exploring the evidential value and conditions for use of satellite-derived information in administrative and judicial settings.

Delegates were given a briefing document shortly before the workshop, laying out the areas to be covered and summarising some of the issues that were likely to arise.

The program began with an explanation of the aims of the study, followed by a presentation on the nature of legal evidence. The capabilities of satellite systems were discussed, in areas including land motion measurement, pollution and oil spill. Next, papers were presented on cases in which satellite-derived information has been used, including agricultural subsidy claims. A summary of evidential law in a variety of jurisdictions was then covered, highlighting similarities and differences in admissibility and standards of proof.

The results of a study on the use of satellite information in Australia were presented.

Two case studies were then presented. The first took a form similar to a moot. Details of a hypothetical land subsidence dispute were described and the presenters took the position of plaintiff’s advocates, with the participants acting as judges and lawyers for the defendant. The second case involved a hypothetical oil spill, with participants acting as lawyers advising the various parties involved.

There followed a panel discussion with questions, answers and debate from the floor. Issues identified during the day were discussed, and areas requiring further study were touched upon.

A number of issues arose in relation to the collection, collation and processing of satellite-derived information, how it could be adapted to meet specific needs, and how to overcome limitations so as to facilitate its greater use as evidence.

88 high-level legal, administrative and technical experts took part in the Workshop. The dialogue was documented by a large number of technical and legal rapporteurs, as well as an audio recording. These will be combined with the records of the Study Team to produce Proceedings of the Workshop in the near future.

The Institute’s Study Team will carry out further research and dialogue before preparing a report on its findings, to be presented early next year.

See Workshop Report.

See Workshop program, case studies and attendance list.

See Workshop Information Package.

Evidence from Space: ESA EO Project Extension

Evidence from Space EO Research

Earth Observation (EO) information as evidence in courts and tribunals

ESA has indicated its willingness to extend the Earth Observation Project Evidence from Space, currently being conducted by the Institute’s faculty and associated researchers. The Institute is delighted and welcomes this development. An extension will allow the scope of the study to be enlarged, and for further issues to be considered.

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Space Tourism at King’s College London

Space Tourism Module for KCL

The Institute has agreed to provide a taught module on legal and policy aspects of space tourism for the Space Physiology & Health MSc course at King’s College London. “We are very pleased to have been asked and look forward to greater cooperation with King’s College. This collaboration is a great example of how we can contribute to the education of the next generation of space professionals,” said the Director.

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