International Criminal Law
LEGL911
Autumn 2007
University of Wollongong
Certificate/Master of Transnational Crime Prevention
Assignment 1: Preliminary Readings Synopsis
The assignment consists of two parts. The first is an open book, home examination. Its purpose is to ensure that students have engaged in background reading and are familiar with fundamental facts and concepts necessary for understanding the course. It is based upon the course readings electronically available on the course website.
Part 1 = 15%
Please answer the following five questions. Your answers should be about 100 words per question, and should not exceed 500 words in total. The same number of words need not be apportioned for each question. The completed assignment is due for submission on or before Friday 6th April 2007. It may be submitted electronically, in rich text format or in hard copy to the Faculty of Law Administration Office. If submitted electronically it must clearly identify your student on each page.
Questions:
1. What are the differences in nature and geographic scope of prescriptive and enforcement powers over criminal matters?
2. Describe the four legal bases used in international law for extraterritorial prescription of criminal jurisdiction.
3. What is the difference in international law between universal and transnational crime?
4. Describe two strategies that judges have developed to address international conflicts between national criminal laws when judging cases concerning transnational crimes.
5. Name three examples of transnational legal cooperation, other than extradition, that mutual legal assistance in criminal matters typically addresses and list three reasons typically used for refusal of extradition requests.
Part 2 = 20%
The second part of the preliminary assignment is to prepare a written synopsis of the law in one topic area of the course. Written synopsis papers will be assessed on accuracy, conciseness and clarity, logical structure and appropriate referencing. Each should summarise the law and illustrate with a case example. Each must be no more than 1500 words. Topics for the written synopsis may be selected from the following list. Topics covered by a student in the synopsis are not eligible topics for the same studentÕs essay.
Synopsis topics may be selected from the following list:
1. Extraterritorial enforcement jurisdiction over foreign pirates and vessels
2. Convention on Transnational Crime and its Protocols
3. Nuremburg International Military Tribunal and universal crimes
4. Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over nationals of non-parties
Students may elect to make an oral presentation instead of a written synopsis. The oral presentations will be assessed on both their content and form. Oral presentations may be on topics drawn from your own particular experience, expertise or interest, but must be cleared with the Subject Coordinator by 30 March 2007. Each should take about 10 minutes and be supported by electronic visual aids provided to the Subject Coordinator for assessment.
