The International Law Research Interest Group is a collaborative platform advancing critical, practice-oriented scholarship in international law, with a strong focus on Global South perspectives. Based at the School of Law, University of KwaZulu-Natal, the group brings together academics who are engaged in addressing contemporary global legal challenges. Through teaching, research, supervision, and active engagement in international and public legal discourse, the group fosters a dynamic academic environment committed to excellence, relevance, and impact in international law.
We combine academic research with practical engagement in international legal processes, with a particular focus on Global South perspectives and emerging global challenges.
Our work spans interconnected areas of international law.
Examines legal frameworks governing armed conflict, including civilian protection, conduct of hostilities, and accountability. Focus areas include healthcare protection, new warfare technologies, and the intersection of international humanitarian law and human rights.
Explores global trade regulation, dispute settlement, and economic governance, with a focus on equity, development, and Global South perspectives.
Focuses on legal frameworks governing armed forces, discipline, accountability, and the relationship between domestic and international obligations.
Examines maritime governance, ocean resources, environmental protection, and contemporary maritime disputes.
Explores international legal responses to climate change, including climate justice, state obligations, and human rights dimensions.
A collaborative research initiative contributing to a submission to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the application of the ICESCR in situations of armed conflict, as part of the development of a new General Comment. This project brings together academic research, student collaboration, and engagement with international legal processes.
| Soni, S. Gaza and International Law. The Global Obligation to Protect Life and Health. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, Vol 16. No 3 (2023). |
| Soni, S. The anatomy of a genocide – a watershed moment as international law and our common humanity hangs by a thread. (2024). South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 17(2), e2218. |
| Soni, S. The ICC takes action: The Gaza arrest warrants and the international obligations of states. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 2024;18(1):e2874. |
| Stevens C. ‘Reviving the right to development within the multilateral trade framework affecting (African) countries to actualise Agenda 2063’ (2019) 19 African Human Rights Law Journal 470-493. |
| Stevens C & Ntlama N. ‘An overview of South Africa’s institutional framework in promoting women’s right to development’ (2016) 20 LDD 46-68. |
| Bosch, S & Kimble M. Private military and security companies: South Africa’s neglected resource, African Security Review (2022), 31:3, 317-331 |
| Bosch, S , Kimble M & Maritz. “‘South African regulation of the Foreign Military Assistance Act: Misconceived mercenaries, the toothless threat of prosecution, and the convenient denial of citizenship”, Private Military and Security Contractors: Controlling the Corporate Warrior, Edited by Gary Schaub and Ryan Kelty (2016) Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |
| Bosch, S & Kimble M. “A new way forward for the regulation of the private military and security industry”, Comparative and International Law Journal of South Africa, Vol.48(3) 2015. |
| Soni, S. International Symposium: International Law and the Question of Palestine. UKZN School of Law and the Navi Pillay Research Interest Group. Presenter (Paper: Gaza and International Law: The Global Obligation to Protect Life and Health) and Facilitator. (2024) |
| Soni, S. Invited Speaker at the conference Justice for Gaza: The Role of International Law in Protecting Health, Education, And Civil Society Amidst Conflict. American University of Beirut and Gaza Health Initiative. Session title: pushing the law’s limits: rethinking Gaza and International law post October 7th. (2024) |
| Soni, S. 115th Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference 2024, University of Bristol. Title of Paper: Birth Under Fire: Reproductive Violence in the Context of Genocide. Presenter (2024) |
| Stevens, C. University of Pretoria: Right to Development Conference (2018) |
| Stevens, C. Vawda and Stevens ‘The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement: Prospects for a developmental SPS, IP regime and improved access to health technologies’ Virtual Symposium on Treaties and Access to Medicines in a COVID-19 Era, December 2020 - hosted by Boston University (2020) |
| Steven, C. Harmonising SPS measures to ensure Food Safety in the SADC: Prospects for Actualising SADC 2050 long term vision (2023) |
We welcome collaboration with academics, practitioners, postgraduate researchers, and institutions working in international law and related fields. Opportunities for collaboration include joint research and publications, conference and workshop collaborations, policy submissions, advisory work, and postgraduate supervision.
Contact: Dr Sheetal Soni
School of Law, Howard College
University of KwaZulu-Natal
King George V Avenue
Durban 4041
South Africa
