THE INTERNATIONAL LAW SEMINAR
The United Nations Office at Geneva has organized the International Law Seminar annually since 1965. Held over three weeks alongside the annual session of the International Law Commission, the Seminar brings together postgraduate students, emerging scholars, government officials, and young practitioners in the field of international law.
The Seminar aims to deepen participants' understanding of the work of the International Law Commission, as well as the codification and progressive development of international law. It provides a unique opportunity for legal professionals from diverse legal traditions and cultural backgrounds to engage in meaningful dialogue on matters currently under consideration by the Commission.
Each year, approximately 25 participants are selected from a wide range of United Nations Member States. In addition to attending meetings of the International Law Commission, participants take part in lectures delivered by Commission members, United Nations officials, representatives of specialized agencies, and other distinguished experts in international law.
THE ORGANIZERS
The Seminar is organized by the Legal Office of the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Claire Mitchell is the Director of the International Law Seminar and Senior Legal Adviser at the United Nations Office at Geneva (2026-present). She has worked as a lawyer in the United Nations system since 2000, including with the United Nations Compensation Commission, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). She holds a Diplôme d’études approfondies (Master’s equivalent) in international law from the Geneva Graduate Institute.
Vittorio Mainetti is the Coordinator of the International Law Seminar (2006-present). He holds a PhD in Public International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and the University of Milan. He currently teaches international law and international organizations law at the University of Milan as an adjunct professor. He has been a visiting lecturer at several universities in France, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. Specializing in public international law, Dr. Mainetti’s research interests include the history of international law, the law of international organizations, and the law of international cultural relations and cultural heritage protection. He is the author of numerous scholarly publications on a wide range of issues in international law. LinkedIn - Academia.edu
WHERE ARE WE LOCATED
The International Law Seminar takes place at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), in the historic setting of the Palais des Nations.
UNOG serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Geneva and is a major centre for multilateral diplomacy. Hosting and servicing more than 8,000 meetings each year, it is among the busiest conference centres in the world and the largest duty station outside the UN headquarters in New York.
Through its daily activities, UN Geneva contributes significantly to the United Nations' global efforts to maintain international peace and security, advance disarmament, protect and promote human rights, eradicate poverty, implement the Sustainable Development Goals, and provide fast, effective humanitarian relief in emergencies.
