Research Unit on Military Law and Ethics

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Research Unit on Military Law and Ethics

The Research Unit on Military Law and Ethics examines legal and policy issues relating to military and security matters at domestic and international law.

The Research Unit on Military Law and Ethics (RUMLAE) at the Adelaide Law School was established to examine legal and policy issues relevant to military and security matters with a particular focus on ethical aspects relevant to the use of force. RUMLAE aims to facilitate the emergence of a creative inter-disciplinary dialogue on contemporary challenges in the areas of military law, national secur

ity, international law, military justice, international relations and strategic policy. Warfare remains law’s most intractable challenge, so complete has the legal vocabulary become that languages of strategy, politics and ethics are frequently fused in moments of legal decision. RUMLAE aims to deconstruct these layers and identify moments of clarity in the manner in which choices are made and actions authentically taken under the law. Particular attention in the RUMLAE research agenda is given to ethical and moral issues relating to the use of force and the dimension of national security. RUMLAE is dedicated to better understanding how discourses of violence are both created and understood, and how they can be mitigated.

27/12/2025

RUMLAE Paves the Way Internationally on Sustainable Defence Procurement.

Last month, Associate Professor Colette Langos, as part of the project Doing Business with Defence: Paving the Way for Sustainable Public Procurement awarded under the University of Adelaide and University of Nottingham Partnership Global Engagement Grant, convened an initial symposium hosted at the University of Nottingham in the UK. The symposium was attended by RUMLAE Research Assistant Hamish McNamara, who was supported under this grant to present on the Australian experience in advancing sustainable public procurement.

The symposium, titled Sustainability in Defence Procurement: A Comparative Regulatory Perspective, was co-hosted with Professor Luke Butler and brought together scholars and practitioners to identify key gaps in existing academic scholarship on sustainable public procurement within the defence context. This opportunity also featured presentations from scholars from Australia, the EU, and the UK on civil and military shifts towards integrating sustainability and circular economy principles into fiscal defence spending, providing comparative insights from each region and prompting engaging discussion among attendees.

This event marked the first in a robust and growing partnership between the two law schools on defence procurement research. More to come!

04/08/2025

RUMLAE Director Professor Dale Stephens recently met with representatives of the US State Department, Mr Matthew Steinhelfer, Ms Oznur Alturk and Mr Jacob Goldschlager, who were undertaking a broader visit to the university facilitated by the University of Adelaide DSI Director Professor Michael Webb.

The meeting principally covered the work being undertaken on the RUMLAE-led project to identify and articulate peacetime air and maritime navigational rights within the Indo-Pacific Region. This project is gaining momentum and is quickly attracting broader national and international attention. Professors Dale Stephens and Matthew Stubbs are the leading editors of this project, with Ms Joanna Jarose acting as its research coordinator. Research has commenced, with a team of undergraduate researchers from the Law School currently undertaking initial work on several issues. The first substantive working meeting of the project is planned to be held in Hawaii in September. There will be a number of key regional Government officials and academic members in attendance at that meeting to discuss future project directions.

Pictured (L-R): Ms Oznur Alturk, Prof Dale Stephens, Mr Matthew Steinhelfer and Prof Michael Webb.

12/07/2025

RUMLAE was honoured to play a major role in the recently conducted Adelade Military Law Ethics Symposium (8-9 July), hosted by the University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Universities Regiment (Commanding Officer LTCOL Scott Calvert). The coordination and design of this very successful event was spearheaded by Army Chaplain Jess Grant, in conjunction with the Adelaide Defence and Security Institute (special thanks to Prof Mike Webb, Mr Gregory Davis and Ms Mary Harpas for their hard work to make everything flow seamlessly).

The Symposium allowed for wide coverage of legal and ethical issues that were addressed by both military commanders and military lawyers (including WGCDR Janine Fetchik CSC and LTCOL Tennille Marsh) as well as academic scholars from the Politics and Law Schools of the University. RUMLAE is grateful to the University Provost Professor John Williams AM for his very articulate opening remarks - especially as it was his encouragement and formal support that saw RUMLAE established in 2015. RUMLAE was fortunate to have its management board members Professor Dale Stephens CSM and Dr Colette Langos present on topics associated with space operations, air and maritime navigational rights in the South China Sea, and the challenges and ethical decisions associated with defence procurement. Featured also were two PhD candidates from the Adelaide Law School: Joanna Jarose, also a RUMLAE research associate, discussed issues concerning the law of naval warfare (in particular the accepted classification of contraband and the dilemmas this raises for States), while Scott Adams addressed the moral obligations associated with military force withdrawal and the responsibilities owed to locally engaged nationals.

RUMLAE was very pleased that its newest member, Dr Damian Copeland, was able to travel to Adelaide to present on reviews of new means and methods of warfare under article 36 of Additional Protocol I. Dr Copeland is a key Australian legal expert on such reviews and the event revealed clear synergies between such subject matter and the defence procurement framework, where Dr Langos is leading significant original research.

Brigadier Arran Hassell CSC delivered the closing remarks of the Symposium and provided a superb introspective address on ethics that deeply resonated with all in attendance.

Our thanks also to RUMLAE senior board member Dr Kellie Toole and RUMLAE academic member Dr Bruno Arpi for their attendance and support of the event, as well as Dr Heather Skousgaard of the Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics who provided valuable inputs throughout the Symposium. Finally, thanks to the Adelaide Law School undergraduate and postgraduate students who attended the Symposium and whose energy and (inexhaustible) questions ensured that every topic was explored comprehensively.

Pictured (L-R): Dr Damian Copeland, Wing Commander Janine Fetchick, Prof Dale Stephens, Dr Colette Langos and Captain Lane Rochow.

07/07/2025

RUMLAE Participates in 2nd Nuclear Regulatory Law Course

RUMLAE Management Board members, Prof Dale Stephens, Prof Matthew Stubbs and Dr Colette Langos contributed to the topics taught in the recently run and very successful second iteration of the post-graduate 'Nuclear Regulatory Law' course taught at The University of Adelaide. The course was spearheaded by Nuclear Law Expert (and co-course coordinator) Ms Kirsty Braybon and saw over 30 students from across Australia come to Adelaide to participate.

Both international and domestic nuclear regulatory law issues were covered, with a particular focus given to the role and place of nuclear-powered submarines within the strategic context. Among the many highlights, this year saw nuclear physicist Mr Andy Steere address nuclear powered submarine design and function, Commodore Ian Park RN spoke to the role of the nuclear powered submarine within the UK Defence Strategy, Captain Michael Paes RAN addressed AUKUS legal issues, Dr Craig Everton from A**O addressed legal issues surrounding nuclear safeguards, and a number of key US representatives from industry (including Ms Ashley Schneider, Mr Dave S. and Mr Jonathan Arena of HII) spoke on nuclear-related regulatory issues in the US context.

The course also welcomed Ms Sarah Norton (Executive Director State Security & Defence Policy, WA Dept of Premier and Cabinet) and Mr Dylan Jones (Director, Office for AUKUS, SA Dept of the Premier and Cabinet), who were able to provide insight into the unique perspectives of WA and SA relating to their involvement in the AUKUS program.

Pictured (L-R): Mr Dylan Jones (SA Dept of Premier and Cabinet), Ms Kirsty Braybon (The University of Adelaide), Ms Sarah Norton (WA Dept of Premier & Cabinet) and Prof Dale Stephens (The University of Adelaide).

06/06/2025

RUMLAE would like to congratulate the 2025 IHL Moot Grand Final winners, Ms Georgina Gross and Mr Aidan Eaton and also the Runners Up, Ms Holly Boswell and Mr Josh Wilson in what was a very impressive Grand Final held on the evening of 5 June.

The Grand Final saw a packed Moot Court and a magnificent display of legal advocacy as well as research depth by both sides. The Red Cross Moot problem this year dealt with, inter alia, issues of occupation and deportation, targeting and environmental loss as well as key principles of international criminal law. Following the event, Red Cross IHL Committee Chair, Ms Aneta Peretko addressed the audience about the role of the SA IHL Committee and the central place of International Humanitarian Law, especially in troubled times such as these. She commented upon the high standard of advocacy she witnessed and presented certificates to the winners and runners up.

Georgina and Aidan will now represent the Adelaide Law School in the forthcoming ALSA Conference IHL Mooting Competition where the University of Adelaide has enjoyed considerable success in recent years. We wish Georgina and Aidan all the best in the forthcoming IHL Moot series.

Pictured (L-R): Mr Josh Wilson, Ms Tara Duvnjak (timekeeper), Ms Holly Boswell, Ms Rosie McAlpine (Judge), Prof Dale Stephens (Judge), Ms Georgina Gross, Ms Joanna Jarose (Judge), Mr Aidan Eaton and Ms Aneta Peretko (SA Red Cross)

05/05/2025

Regulation of digital activity presents an ongoing challenge to both domestic and international law. In late 2023, RUMLAE held a very fruitful conference on the issue of digital resilience in law, at which many aspects of this challenging area were discussed. We are very pleased to announce a more permanent contribution to discourse in the field in the form of an anthology of papers from many of the conference presenters.

Digital Resilience: International and Domestic Legal Responses to Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence is now available from Springer, edited by RUMLAE's Dale Stephens, Matthew Stubbs, and Samuel White. It features contributions from the broader RUMLAE research team and numerous other academics and practitioners, canvassing a broad range of issues from corporate governance to criminal regulation to cyber operations as part of armed conflict. We believe this collection provides useful insights for individuals, businesses, and governments alike.

More information is available from the publisher here: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-97-9746-2

14/04/2025

RUMLAE Director Participates in Maritime Security Cooperation Workshop

RUMLAE Director, Prof Dale Stephens (in his reserve Navy capacity) recently participated as a presenter and course manager in the 2025 Maritime Security Cooperation Workshop held in Canberra during the week of 7 - 11 April. The workshop was run by the Indo-Pacific Centre for Military Law (IPCML) and brought together 25 participants from across the Indo-Pacific region. Topics covered during the workshop included Law of the Sea, Freedom of Navigation, Maritime Law Enforcement, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations, Status of Vessels, Coastal State jurisdiction, Maritime Piracy, Boarding, Seizures and Maritime Evidence Collection.

The workshop also benefitted greatly from Prof Matthew Stubbs (in his Naval reserve capacity) presenting on key topics concerning maritime law enforcement under both Australian national law and international law. With 70% of the world comprising ocean and with 90% of world trade being conducted by sea, it is critical that the legal rights and obligations concerning maritime law and maritime law enforcement are understood and respected. The workshop was focused upon maritime security cooperation and allowed participants from many Navies and law enforcement agencies across the region to exchange information, to discuss best practice approaches and to create professional networks. Prof Stephens would like to thank Ms Grace Corbiau LLM, Mr Manuel Ventura and Ms Tate De Silva from IPCML for making the workshop such a success.

Pictured (L-R): Lieutenant Commander Felicia Fragapane RAN, IPCML Director Ms Grace Corbiau, Captain Dale Stephens RAN

05/04/2025

RUMLAE Congratulates Rod Furner and Catherine Burns on their Academic Prizes

The University of Adelaide Law School Prize ceremony was held on Thursday 3rd April to recognise high achieving students who completed Post Graduate and Undergraduate courses in 2024. RUMLAE wishes to congratulate all the students who received awards on the night, in particular Rod Furner and Catherine Burns who were awarded for their exceptional efforts in military law courses run by RUMLAE members.

Rod was awarded the Constantine Law Scholar Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Post Graduate coursework, and Catherine was awarded the Dean's Certificate for achieving the top mark in Advanced Military Discipline Law. Both of them travelled to Adelaide from interstate to receive their awards, on what was a great night of celebrating successes across the Law School's student cohort. Rod and Catherine bring great credit to themselves and to Defence with their impressive academic achievements.

Pictured (L-R): Codie Rowe, Catherine Burns, Rod Furner and Prof Dale Stephens.

25/03/2025

RUMLAE Congratulates Ms. Emma Colovic and Ms. Evelyn Vincin Walker on their International IHL Mooting Achievement

RUMLAE is very pleased to congratulate Ms Emma Colovic and Ms Evelyn Vincin Walker for being runners up in the Grand Final of the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot (Asia-Pacific) conducted recently in Hong Kong. Emma and Evelyn were representing the University of Adelaide after winning the Australian National IHL Mooting competition that was held last year in Hobart.

The International IHL Moot competition was held over 4 days and included 24 teams from across the Asia-Pacific region. Most of the teams participating in Hong Kong had been national champions in their respective national competitions and it is a testament to Emma and Evelyn's talent and legal acumen that they made their way through several very competitive rounds of mooting to reach the Grand Final. Emma and Evelyn’s final moot was against the team from Singapore Management University and they put in a brilliant effort: in fact, it was noted by the judges that it was a very close-run outcome. In addition to winning the Runners Up trophy for the competition, the team was awarded the best Defence Memorial and third best Prosecution Memorial. Equally impressive was Evelyn winning the prize for the third best overall speaker in the preliminary rounds.

This year’s problem considered the pressing issues of cyber and technological warfare through questions of proportionality, distinction, and fundamental liberties. Teams were challenged with defining armed attacks in an ever-changing military landscape, as well as answering the major question of to whom fault should be attributed for the use of autonomous weapons systems which result in outcomes contrary to IHL.

The University of Adelaide team was very grateful for the expertise of Mr Mark Giddings (a partner at LK Law and a former world champion IHL mooter himself) who was the team coach and accompanied the team to Hong Kong.

The University of Adelaide Law School has enjoyed considerable success in this field. In the past 12 years that the IHL and Advocacy subject has been taught, five teams from the Law School have won the National IHL Moot competition and two of those have gone on to win the International Championship. Now — thanks to Emma and Evelyn — the Law School can add an impressive Runners Up Trophy to a very full cabinet shelf.

Pictured (L-R): Ms Evelyn Vincin Walker and Ms Emma Colovic

15/12/2024

RUMLAE Director Professor Dale Stephens was very pleased to recently host Commander Jacqueline Swinton RAN and Commander Ian Santicola USN who were visiting from Hawaii to discuss arrangements for the forthcoming Air and Maritime Legal Rights and Obligations project. During their visit to The University of Adelaide, they met with Prof. Michael Webb FIEAust at DSI and also with the Chancellor of the University, The Hon. Catherine Branson AC KC. The visit also included briefings and discussion on the structure of the project and the associated research program. Included in that briefing was a meeting with identified senior and junior student researchers who will be involved in the project. The project senior research coordinator for the project is PhD candidate Ms Joanna Jarose.

Image 1 (L-R) Prof Dale Stephens CSM FAAL, Commander Jacqui Swinton RAN, The Hon. Catherine Branson AC KC and Commander Ian Santicola USN.

Image 2 (Seated)(L-R) Aidan Eaton, Chelsea Chhour, Tara Duvnjak, Prof Dale Stephens, Karlie Grace, Milind Merson; (Standing) Asher Seiler-Simmons, Nadine Ingham, Joanna Jarose, Commander Jacqui Swinton RAN, Commander Ian Santicola USN, Evelyn Vincin Walker, Daniel Sladojevic, Holly Timberlake, Patrick Davison, Jiya Joseph, Freya Paton and Grace Builder.

08/12/2024

RUMLAE management board member Professor Matthew Stubbs has spent the Michaelmas Term as a Research Visitor at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford.

He has been working on a project asking ‘Are Human Rights Relevant to a Blockade’, and has presented his research at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at Mansfield College as well as to the Public International Law Research Group of the Faculty of Law at All Souls College, The University of Oxford.

RUMLAE offers its sincere congratulations to Professor Stubbs for his continued devotion to this area of research.

29/11/2024

In November 2024, RUMLAE welcomed Professor Sigmund Simonsen from Western Norway University as a Visiting Scholar to Adelaide Law School. Professor Simonsen is working with RUMLAE members Professor Dale Stephens and Professor Matthew Stubbs on the San Remo Manual update.

During his time at the Law School, he gave two very successful presentations on the issues arising from Norway's proximity to the current conflict in Ukraine, the role of NATO, international and domestic maritime security law, and the uncertainties surrounding "grey zone" incidents. He also undertook discussions with staff members and HDR students on these subjects.

It was a pleasure to have Professor Simonsen at the Law School and very enlightening to hear his perspectives on these key areas of law and international relations.

Top Picture (L-R): Ms Joanna Jarose, Ms Evelyn Vincin Walker, Prof Sigmund Simonsen, Prof Dale Stephens, Ms Nadine Ingham and Dr Kellie Toole.

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Adelaide, SA

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http://law.adelaide.edu.au/military-law-ethics/

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