Admission requirements
Basic knowledge of International Law and a sufficient command of English.
Description
The Aerospace Law course offers an introduction into public air law, private air law and space law, from both an international and European perspective. The public air law lectures deal with the governance of international civil aviation, including the economic regulation of air services, through multilateral and bilateral aviation agreements. You will study the Chicago Convention of 1944, and the responsibilities of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for promoting safety, security and the protection of the environment. Within the context of private air law, airline liability and passenger rights will be addressed. The space law lectures will introduce the main legal instruments in the field of space law. The course covers the legal aspects of various space activities, such as human space flight, the use of small satellites and space debris.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course:
To provide an overview of the main legal instruments and issues in the fields of public air law, private air law and space law;
To explain how international civil aviation is regulated;
To learn how to apply the key principles of airline liability;
To study legal issues in relation to space activities and the use of outer space.
Achievement levels:
After this course students can:
understand basic principles in the field of air and space law;
discuss the international legal framework of air and space law;
apply the principle international legal instruments in air and space law;
recognize and address legal issues pertaining to air law and space law.
Timetable
See timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Number of (2 hour) lectures: One 2-hour class per week for 12 weeks
Names of lecturers: Prof. S.J. Truxal, Prof. Dr. P.M.J. Mendes de Leon, Mrs. Drs. T.L. Masson-Zwaan, Dhr. T.N. Buissing, Ms. D. Stefoudi, Ms. J. Choi
Guest Lecturers: Mr. G. de Vos (AKD)
Required preparation by students: reading designated chapters from the Reader Aerospace Law
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
- Open book exam with open questions.
Areas to be tested within the exam
The reader and the subjects taught in the lectures, and all other instructions and information provided during the course.
Reading list
Required reading:
Reader Aerospace Law
Incidental additional handouts
Recommended reading:
P.M.J. Mendes de Leon, An Introduction to Air Law (Kluwer, 10th ed., 2017)
T. Masson-Zwaan & M. Hofmann, Introduction to Space Law (Kluwer 4th ed., 2019)
Registration
Students have to register for the lectures and working groups through uSis. With this registration you have access to the digital learning environment of this course in Brightspace. You may register up to 5 calendar days before the first teaching session begins.
Students have to register for exams and retakes through uSis. With this registration you also have access to the digital learning environment of this course in Brightspace You may register up to 10 calendar days before the exam or retake.
Exchange students have priority and will be registered for the course first. Any remaining seats will be available for students from Leiden University and other Dutch Universities.
Contact information
Coordinator: Mr. Niall Buissing
Work address: KOG, room B4.38
Telephone number: +31 (0)71 527 6564
E-mail: t.n.buissing@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Public Law
Department: Institute of Air & Space Law
Room number secretariat: KOG, room B4.37
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00
Telephone number secretariat: +31 (0)71 527 8081
E-mail: airandspace@law.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Graduated professionals may attend this course as a Study Abroad student or as Contract student and apply via JPAO.