In July 2015 the United States published its long awaited Law of War Manual (the Manual). While there had been earlier texts of this publication, after a period of reassessment and amendment and it is a revised text that has now been published under the authority of the Department of Defense. On any reckoning, the publication of a Military Manual on the Law of War by the United States is an event of the most considerable significance. It would normally be regarded as representing the United States’ official position on all matters to do with the Law of War. So, why is that not the case in relation to the US DoD Manual and what is its legal status?
Short bio of the speaker
Dr Bill Boothby has recently published, jointly with Professor Wolff Heintschel von Heinegg, a detailed paragraph by paragraph, line by line, assessment of the 1200 pages of the Manual in which the authors express their personal views as to its statements of law and related matters. In his presentation, Dr Boothby will explain some of the points of criticism that seem to be merited and will seek to put the Manual as a whole into its proper legal context.
