APCML COMMAND AND STAFF OPSLAW COURSE
HMAS PENGUIN 9-20 OCTOBER 2006

The APCML conducted its fifth Command and Staff Operations Law course at HMAS Penguin in Sydney during the period 9-20 October 2006. The course was attended by officers from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Fiji, Malaysia, Philippines, New Zealand, Switzerland and Vietnam, as well as Australian Defence Force operators and legal officers.

The course program covered the spectrum of operations and included the following legal topics: Sources and Content of the Laws of Armed Conflict; the Law of Targeting; Maritime Zones and Naval Operations; Air Operations; the Law of Occupation; Information Operations; the Legal Framework for Peace Operations; Laws of Armed Conflict and International Human Rights Law on Peace Operations; Use of Force on Peace Operations; Command Responsibility; Enforcement, Counter-Terrorist Operations; Status and Treatment of Detainees; and Military Support to Law Enforcement Operations. As the course emphasised the practical application of laws and norms to military operations the program also included topics such as: Operational Level Planning – An Operator’s Perspective; Operational Level Planning – A Legal Officer’s Perspective; Coalition Operations – Interoperability Issues; and Rules of Engagement. A day was also devoted to civil-military co-operation. Finally regarding the program, the 2006 course program included for the first time a module on Military Leadership and Ethics. Select to view a copy of the course program.

A feature of the course was the number of high calibre presenters who willingly give of their time and expertise to support the course. For example, the course was opened by the Commander Special Operations Command, MAJGEN Michael Hindmarsh AM CSC, and the Director General of NZDF Defence Legal Services, BRIG Kevin Riordan, kindly presented on the course. The APCML is indebted to these two officers as it is to all those who contributed to the course.

The next APCML Command and Staff Operations Law course is to be conducted in the period 8-19 October 2007, again at HMAS Penguin.

Contact details:

University Node Cathy Hutton Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Law School The University of Melbourne VIC 3010 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 3 8344 4775 Fax: + 61 3 8344 0054 Email: law-apcml@unimelb.edu.au

Military Node Ian Martin Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Building 100 Randwick Barracks Avoca Street RANDWICK NSW 2031 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 2 9349 0628 Fax: +61 2 9349 0757 Email: mlc.admin@defence.gov.au