CLASS 4 - JURISDICTION AND IMMUNITY
Overview Literature:
Henriksen:
- Chapter 5;
- Chapter 6
Cases:
- ICJ, Jurisdictional Immunities Case (Germany v. Italy);
- ICJ, Arrest Warrant Case (Democratic Republic of Congo v. Belgium).
Other materials:
- Knowledge clips class 4;
- Newspaper Article: “Tokyo angered after South Korea court orders Japan to
compensate 'comfort women”
- CNN news article: “US determines Saudi Crown Prince is immune in case
brought by Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée”
Learning objectives: At the end of this class, students:
- Understand the five principles on the basis on which jurisdiction can be claimed;
- Understand the controversy regarding universal jurisdiction;
- Are able to distinguish between acta jure gestionis and acta jure imperii;
- Understand the extent to which diplomats and embassies/consulates enjoy
immunity;
- Are able to explain what was determined in the ICJ Jurisdictional Immunities
case and why this ruling is noticeable;
- Are able to explain, with the use of the ICJ Arrest Warrant case, which persons
enjoy immunity from prosecution by foreign courts in which circumstances.
, Notes
Immunity: even though you committed a crime and another state has jurisdiction,
you can’t be prosecuted. You’re untouchable.
Jurisdiction: authority to do whatever you want, to enforce law for example.
Sovereignty: to protect your country and do whatever you want; territorial
jurisdiction, or to do with your citizens as you want; jurisdiction on the basis of
active nationality, protecting your citizens; jurisdiction on the basis of passive
nationality.
Types of jurisdiction because of coexistence, otherwise there won’t be
sovereignty and there will be chaos.
Which principle(s) of jurisdiction?
Identify: what is the connection between the state and the crime?
- Who committed the crime?
- Where was the crime committed?
- Against whom was the crime committed?
- What kind of crime was committed?
Types of jurisdiction:
- Territorial jurisdiction: state has jurisdiction over the land/sea/space of their
territory, boundaries. sovereignty
- Jurisdiction on the basis of active nationality: based on the nationality on the
perpetrator, this country can prosecute.
- Jurisdiction on the basis of passive nationality: based on the nationality of the
victim, this country can prosecute.
- Protective jurisdiction: based on vital interests of a state, for example
falsifying passports/currencies, acts of terrorism, drugs.
- Universal jurisdiction: every state has jurisdiction, act has to be so extreme;
jus cogens: grave war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide.
- State jurisdiction vs. international court’s jurisdiction
- Five grounds for prescriptive jurisdiction state jurisdiction
Territorial jurisdiction
Jurisdiction on the basis of nationality
o Active personality
o Passive personality
Protective jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction
Problem: more than one state can claim jurisdiction (overlapping jurisdiction)
Overview Literature:
Henriksen:
- Chapter 5;
- Chapter 6
Cases:
- ICJ, Jurisdictional Immunities Case (Germany v. Italy);
- ICJ, Arrest Warrant Case (Democratic Republic of Congo v. Belgium).
Other materials:
- Knowledge clips class 4;
- Newspaper Article: “Tokyo angered after South Korea court orders Japan to
compensate 'comfort women”
- CNN news article: “US determines Saudi Crown Prince is immune in case
brought by Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée”
Learning objectives: At the end of this class, students:
- Understand the five principles on the basis on which jurisdiction can be claimed;
- Understand the controversy regarding universal jurisdiction;
- Are able to distinguish between acta jure gestionis and acta jure imperii;
- Understand the extent to which diplomats and embassies/consulates enjoy
immunity;
- Are able to explain what was determined in the ICJ Jurisdictional Immunities
case and why this ruling is noticeable;
- Are able to explain, with the use of the ICJ Arrest Warrant case, which persons
enjoy immunity from prosecution by foreign courts in which circumstances.
, Notes
Immunity: even though you committed a crime and another state has jurisdiction,
you can’t be prosecuted. You’re untouchable.
Jurisdiction: authority to do whatever you want, to enforce law for example.
Sovereignty: to protect your country and do whatever you want; territorial
jurisdiction, or to do with your citizens as you want; jurisdiction on the basis of
active nationality, protecting your citizens; jurisdiction on the basis of passive
nationality.
Types of jurisdiction because of coexistence, otherwise there won’t be
sovereignty and there will be chaos.
Which principle(s) of jurisdiction?
Identify: what is the connection between the state and the crime?
- Who committed the crime?
- Where was the crime committed?
- Against whom was the crime committed?
- What kind of crime was committed?
Types of jurisdiction:
- Territorial jurisdiction: state has jurisdiction over the land/sea/space of their
territory, boundaries. sovereignty
- Jurisdiction on the basis of active nationality: based on the nationality on the
perpetrator, this country can prosecute.
- Jurisdiction on the basis of passive nationality: based on the nationality of the
victim, this country can prosecute.
- Protective jurisdiction: based on vital interests of a state, for example
falsifying passports/currencies, acts of terrorism, drugs.
- Universal jurisdiction: every state has jurisdiction, act has to be so extreme;
jus cogens: grave war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide.
- State jurisdiction vs. international court’s jurisdiction
- Five grounds for prescriptive jurisdiction state jurisdiction
Territorial jurisdiction
Jurisdiction on the basis of nationality
o Active personality
o Passive personality
Protective jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction
Problem: more than one state can claim jurisdiction (overlapping jurisdiction)
