Highlights from the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser (International Law)

Abstract

In 2019, the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser (International Law) proceeded to implement its mandate to provide advice on international law to the South African government and to participate in international legal fora, including at the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the International Institute for the Unification of Private International Law (UNIDROIT), the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group, and the Antarctic Treaty System. The Office also participated in international conferences on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of international atrocity crimes. In addition to an international study tour, the Treaty Section of the Office continued its function as the official custodian of the South African Treaty Collection, as well as national reports that South Africa submits in terms of treaty obligations. The Foreign Service Act 26 of 2019 was passed by Parliament on 19 November 2019.