2009: A lesson in international law

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Tags: humanitarian issues, internship, law, summer-2010

Rebecca Rowling, BA/LLB

Rebecca Rowling in The Hague

Sitting in on major trials at The Hague in the Netherlands has brought the career goals of law graduate Rebecca Rowling into greater focus.

Ms Rowling commenced a six-month internship at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) shortly after graduating in 2009.

Her interest in the area was piqued while competing in the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Mooting Competition in 2007, where she explored the jurisprudence of tribunals including the ICTY.

The Hague is home to the ICTY, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda appeals chamber, the International Court of Justice, thePermanent Court of Arbitration and the International Criminal Court. It is also the seat of the Dutch government.

A regular day during the internship involved managing issues before the trial chamber, summarising evidence of witnesses, and assisting in the preparation of orders of the chamber.

A highlight of the placement came when a procedural matter Ms Rowling had been working on was broadcast on the ICTY news service and within internal staff updates.

“My work was both challenging and rewarding, and I felt that at the end of my internship I had many new skills, and that I had obtained an insight into the work of international tribunals,” she said.

Her time at The Hague coincided with several large trials including that of accused Bosnian and Croatian War criminals.

“Seeing witnesses give evidence on such serious topics in their native language, whilst hearing live translations between BCS (Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian), English and French was captivating,” she said.

Since returning to Brisbane, Ms Rowling has commenced an 18-month associateship with The Honourable Justice Margaret Wilson of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

By Cameron Pegg

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