Date:24/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/24/stories/2006022415570700.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Meet focusses on developments in international law

Special Correspondent

Indian courts applying international law rules in domestic law: Chief Justice

CHENNAI: New developments in international law and identification of the emerging areas where developments are expected were the focus of a two-day national seminar on "New Developments in International Law" which was recently held here.

The subject assumes importance as new vistas in it has opened up in the wake of new diplomacy within the framework of international institutions.

According to A. David Ambrose, seminar director and head in-charge, Department of Legal Studies, University of Madras, which organised the seminar, international law now controlled and influenced the shaping of various national policies, be it environmental law or laws relating to human rights or trade, which included protection of intellectual property rights. Traditional doctrines such as "domestic jurisdiction" and "state sovereignty" which restricted the application of international law within State jurisdiction were getting blurred. Possessing a strong base in international law was a vital requirement for the country's development.

Inaugurating the seminar, the Chief Justice of Madras High Court, citing various judgments, highlighted the role played by the Indian judiciary in keeping pace with contemporary developments by rationalising the principles of international law into the country's municipal laws.

The Chief Justice said Indian courts, particularly the Supreme Court, was rigorously applying international law rules in domestic law. India was in the forefront of nations to promote multilateralism and international law to secure a peaceful world with economic justice to all people.

"Our judiciary has been very much alive to international law and conventions and norms, and has always charted its course by harmonising the domestic law to be on an even keel with international law."

Madras University Vice-Chancellor, S.P. Thyagarajan, said law was the crystallisation of basic ethical principles.

Three judges of the High Court, P. Jyothimani, M. Jaichandren and V. Dhanapalan, were felicitated on the occasion.