Guest Lecture on ‘International Criminal Tribunals:  The Pursuit of Justice’

On Monday 4^th March, Elizabeth Spelman delivered a guest lecture on ‘International Criminal Tribunals: The Pursuit of Justice’ to students and staff in the Centre for Crime, Justice & Victim Studies and School of Law. The event was organised by Dr Ger Coffey Course Director LLM/MA in Human Rights in Criminal Justice.

The interactive lecture focused on the establishment and the achievements of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The Ratko Mladić Trial Judgement, the Prlić et al. Appeals Judgement, and recent case developments were discussd.

The lecture then examined developments and challenges in the Goran Hadžić case following the accused’s diagnosis of a terminal illness, with approximately seven trial weeks remaining. This case addressed issues such as fair trial rights, and possible measures to expedite the trial; such measures could potentially be implemented before international and domestic courts and tribunals. 

There was a very good attendance by students and staff who benefited from Elizabeth’s expertise and valuable insights into the workings of international criminal justice tribunals. The interactive lecture engaged students and discussions broadened their knowledge and deep understanding of international criminal justice.

Elizabeth Spelman is a Solicitor at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Until recently she was a Prosecution Lawyer at the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. Prior to this, she worked as a Visiting Professional in the Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Limerick with an LL.B in Law and European Studies. She subsequently attended BPP Law School in London, and trained as a Solicitor at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, in London, Cologne and Moscow. She moved into the public sector and worked as a U.K. Government Litigator on a variety of private and public law cases. During this time, she obtained an LL.M in Public International Law from University College London. She has published articles concerning international law and has also worked in the voluntary and NGO sectors in Ecuador, Cambodia, the U.K., and India.

Pictured: Dr Ger Coffey and Elizabeth Spelman.