Research seminars
Research seminars
As well as hosting inaugural lectures and conferences, Nottingham Law School has a programme of research seminars. Around six to eight of these are delivered each year by a mixture of internal staff and invited speakers. Taken as a whole, these seminars are eclectic in subject matter but many are focused in areas of research strength for the School connected with its research centres and clusters. A warm welcome is offered not only to staff and students from across the University but also professionals and others from outside the University who have a particular interest in the subject matter. More details of forthcoming seminars can be found on the University events page. Dr Austen Garwood-Gowers co-ordinates the research seminar programme and can respond to general or seminar specific queries via email or telephone (+44 (0)115 848 6107).
Professor Ralph Henham's inaugural lecture
Professor Ralph Henham's inaugural lecture examined The role of sentencing in achieving justice in international criminal trials. The idea that international sentencing might have a role to play in promoting reconciliation and peace in societies ravaged by social conflict is superficially attractive. However, our perceptions of 'international criminal justice' are relative so that it appears futile to argue that it has some kind of instrumental force having significance at both the international and domestic level. The trial structures purporting to deliver international criminal justice and the values it represents are depicted as universally relevant and its outcomes applicable wherever international crimes are alleged to have been committed.
Professor Henham's lecture sought to deconstruct this myth by highlighting some of the problems inherent in understanding the role of sentencing in international criminal trials.
Professor David Burdette's inaugural lecture
Following the global trend of designing mechanisms that avoid the shortcomings of traditional liquidation procedures, South Africa recently published proposals for the introduction of a new corporate rescue mechanism to replace its ineffective judicial management procedure. The new procedure, known as Business Rescue, is being proposed as part of the first overhaul of South Africa's company laws since 1973, and the aim is to have it implemented by 2010.
David Burdette's inaugural lecture examined the main elements of the proposed new procedure, measured against international principles of corporate rescue, and analysed the lessons that can be learned from the design and implementation of corporate rescue mechanisms in other international jurisdictions.
