6 – 10 October 2025, Sanremo (Italy)
SPECIALISED COURSES ON IHL
Naval Operations and the Law Course
The International Institute of Humanitarian Law has a strong association with international law and naval operations having sponsored the publication of the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea. In 2024, this Manual – globally recognised as a key reference book for naval and government practitioners and others- celebrates its 30 th anniversary!
The ‘Naval Operations and the Law’ course has been a longstanding course in the specialized courses curriculum of the Institute and given by leading experts in this field. It has been supported by experts from the US Naval War College (USNWC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Overall objectives
This course seeks to examine and understand the legal regime affecting the planning and conduct of naval operations across the entire spectrum of conflict. The curriculum provides lectures across ranging from the law of the sea relevant to naval operations, to the law of naval warfare during armed conflict and other specific subjects of international law in the naval dimension, such as piracy, rules of engagement, maritime claims and disputes and undersea cables and infrastructure.
The course aims at operators, lawyers and policy makers from the military, government departments and others interested.
Teaching Staff
In this year’s course, lectures will be given by professor Wolff Heintschel von Heinegg, associate professor CDRE (ret.) (AUS Navy) David Letts, associate professor Captain (NLD Navy) Martin Fink and lecturers from the US Naval War College.
Methodology
The course set-up is a combination of classroom lectures, discussions and working-group sessions. It seeks to facilitate in bringing operators and lawyers together and encourages participants to discuss their own experiences.
REGISTRATION FORM PROGRAMME
Registration deadline: 22 September 2025
The Agenda will be available soon
For any additional information, please contact the Military Department at military.department@iihl.org.
The course will be conducted in English. There will not be simultaneous translation.
The Official Certificate will be released to participants who attend the course in full after the final session and completion of the course evaluation.