Courts & Litigation

Just Security’s expert authors offer analysis and informational resources on key litigation impacting national security, rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Our content spans domestic and international litigation, from cases at the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and other international and regional tribunals, to those in U.S. courts involving executive branch actions, transnational litigation, and more.

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2,854 Articles
A brown and gold gavel appears next to a yellow disabled persons handicap sign on a black background.

Time for the International Criminal Court to Recognize Persons with Disabilities and the Slave Trade

The ICC's update to the prosecution of slavery crimes should include specific recognition of and protections for persons with disabilities.
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The Just Security Podcast: Assessing the Recent Response of International Law and Institutions in Palestine and Israel

What have international institutions chosen to condemn as violations of community norms, and what conduct has been silenced or omitted?
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 01: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks from the Blue Room balcony of the White House on August 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. Biden announced that over the weekend, U.S. forces launched an airstrike in Afghanistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Zawahiri, 71, took over leadership of al-Qaeda in 2011, shortly after American forces killed Osama bin Laden. The president said there were no civilian casualties. (Photo by Jim Watson-Pool/Getty Images)

A Presidential Proclamation to End the Iraq War: Unilateral Executive Action to Defang a Zombie AUMF

President Biden should proclaim the conflict authorized by the 2002 resolution to be over and determine that it is no longer “necessary and appropriate” to use force for the…
The flag of Ukraine flies in front of the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on August 24, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Unforced Error: Article 124 and the Regrettable Caveat to Ukraine’s Proposed Ratification of the ICC Statute

Invoking an exception to the ICC's jurisdiction would not only be a regression from Ukraine's otherwise commendable engagement with international law, it would also contradict…
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The Just Security Podcast: How can the U.S. Address Political Violence and Threats?

Rachel Kleinfeld reflects on the threats of political violence in the United States and offers solutions ahead of the 2024 election.
A white sign with blue writing on it reads "Camp Justice" with a blue sky behind it and a U.S. flag flying above.

Revoking the 9/11 Plea Deals: Human Rights Consequences

Defense Secretary Austin's decision to discard the 9/11 plea deals at the Guantanamo military commissions is a missed opportunity for the United States to achieve a rule of law-compliant…
A digital image shows planet Earth from space with various cities connected by glowing lines.

What’s in a Bag? The Lawfulness of X-raying the Diplomatic Pouch in International Law

Is it lawful for a State to subject a foreign diplomatic pouch to X-raying or scanning to ensure that it is not used for illicit purposes?
The blue flag of the International Criminal Court flies outside of the organization's headquarters.

An ICC Complementarity Policy at Last: Can the Prosecutor Walk the Talk?

A close analysis suggests that the ICC Prosecutor's new vision of complementarity is informed by his practice-driven and pragmatic approach to engagement with States.
The building of the International Criminal Court in The Hague in 2019. (Photo by OSeveno via Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons license)

A New ICC Policy on Complementarity? Let’s Fast Forward to Universal Jurisdiction Allocation

On the heels of the ICC Policy on Complementarity and Cooperation, national prosecutorial authorities should think about UJ allocation and coordination.
Barbed wire is coiled around the top of a chain-link fence.

Justice for Trans-border Torture Requires Rethinking the International Criminal Court’s Jurisdiction in the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Recognizing the transnational nature of these alleged crimes, the ICC could potentially bridge the artificial divide between Gaza and Israel.

After Immunity: The Path Forward for the January 6th Case

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction II. The Supreme Court’s Immunity Framework III. Applying the Court’s Immunity Decision to the Indictment 1. Undisputed Unofficial Conduct…

Train Wreck at Guantánamo

Leading expert on military justice analyzes the extraordinary turn of events in on again, off again plea deals in 9/11 military commissions cases, and what should happen next.
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