International Law

We engage in contemporary issues in international law from a South African perspective. Through teaching, research, and active participation in conferences and public discourse, we foster a dynamic academic community committed to advancing excellence in the field.

Our main areas of interest are

International humanitarian law and human rights
International criminal law
International trade law
Military Law
Law of the sea

We are committed to

Collaborative Research: Creating a platform for interdisciplinary studies that address global legal challenges and enhance scholarship.
National & International Partnerships: Strengthening collaborations with legal scholars, institutions, and organizations worldwide to exchange ideas and research.
Legal Education: Enriching undergraduate and postgraduate teaching by integrating cutting-edge research and practical insights.
Public Engagement: Contributing to conferences, speaking events, and public forums to advance the understanding of International Law.
Scholarly Publication: Encouraging and supporting members in publishing research that shapes global legal discourse.
Through these efforts, the International Law Research Group seeks to influence legal thought, policy, and practice, promoting a more just and equitable global legal order.

Members

Dr Sheetal Soni

Academic Leader: Research & Higher Degrees

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Dr Vishal Surbun

Senior Lecturer

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Ms Sandhiya Singh

Lecturer

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Mr Matthew Kimble

Lecturer

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Dr Clydenia Stevens

Academic Leader: Public Law

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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)