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Jon Whitfield invited to attend Government Forum on The Legal Landscape and National Security

Jon Whitfield was invited to attend and advise at the above Ministry of Justice forum commissioned by the Cabinet Office to consider likely developments in the global security environment over the next 5-15 years.

Security and the Legal Domain

Delegates considered the impact of change/developments upon international, European and domestic legal frameworks. Particular emphasis was laid on two strands of the current UK national security strategy: (a) the tension between legality and morality/legitimacy when planning or acting upon the national security strategy, interests and values and, (b) the consequences of action by the UK or others should those tensions lead to the erosion of the current legal framework.

Legal Frameworks and Violent Conflict

The debate covered the effectiveness of international legal frameworks and humanitarian laws in controlling modern and future forms of violent conflict. The differing strands of law, both domestic and international and how they affect actions on and off the battlefield were also examined.

Consequences of Climate Change to the Rule of Law

The possible consequences of climate change upon our security-relevant legal frameworks were considered in particular the impact of regulated or reduced access to natural resources such as energy, water and food.

The MoJ will report its findings later this year.

8 March 2010

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