International Legal News - 23 March 2026
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 16 March to 21 March 2026. Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates from the International Criminal Court, European Court of Human Rights, United Nations, European Union and other sources. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please
send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
21 March 2026
International Criminal Law: ICC Chief Prosecutor cleared of misconduct following independent review
It has been reported that the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has been cleared of wrongdoing, following allegations of misconduct in office. A panel appointed by the International Criminal Court’s governing body, has not established any ‘misconduct or breach of duty’ following a review.
Mr. Khan, on leave since May of last year, had sought the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and then defence minister Yoav Gallant in May 2024. The US Trump administration had imposed financial and travel sanctions against Khan, his deputy prosecutors and judges of the court amongst other civil-society actors. The Court itself has been described to have been in a state of limbo, while investigations have taken place.
For more on this story, see here.
20 March 2026
Immigration Law: UK visa and settlement rule changes following 2025 immigration white paper
The House of Commons library has produced a research briefing, authored by CJ McKinney and Melanie Gower, that examines what changes are expected to come about under UK immigration law, following a white paper published last year. This briefing addresses language requirements, changes to the qualifying period for leave to remain, in addition to other immigration policy matters.
To read the research briefing, see here.
19 March 2026
Shipping: Joint Statement issued by group of world leaders on the strait of Hormuz
The Prime Minister’s Office has published a joint statement, issued alongside France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, on the Strait of Hormuz.
In particular, the statement expresses concerns about the escalating conflict, and attempts to block the strait from commercial shipping, calling for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which has condemned Iran’s “egregious attacks” against its regional neighbours.
For more on this story, see here.
For the UN Resolution, see here.
18 March 2026
Ukraine: UK reaffirms support for Ukraine’s legal right to self-defence at OSCE
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reports on a statement made by the UK delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The UK has reiterated Ukraine’s right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and called into attention, allegations of Russian missile and drone strikes which are allegedly being used to target critical civilian and energy infrastructure.
To read the statement, see here.
17 March 2026
Blog Corner: “What Can Be Expected of International Law? Contemporary Developments and the Future of the International Legal Order”
A report published by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, publishes the discussions had during a panel discussion examining the question: “What can be expected of international law?” The event was chaired by Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG KC, with a host of speakers.
To read the report, see here.
16 March 2026
Arbitration: Commercial Court dismisses anti-suit injunction application by law firm against Dubai partner
In a decision handed down by the commercial court in Clyde & Co LLP v Abhimanyu Jalan ([2026] EWHC 403 (Comm) and [2026] EWHC 534 (Comm)), an application for an anti-suit injunction by a law firm against one of its partners based in their Dubai office has been rejected.
A partner had commenced proceedings against that firm in the Dubai Labour Court, under domestic laws of that jurisdiction. That partner had several contracts. One provided for employment governed by UAE law, and a London-seated arbitration. Another with the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), that provided both parties to abide by UAE labour law. UAE law required contracts in the area where the firm was situated, to be registered with MOHRE who would handle any employment dispute that arises, as they are not justiciable under arbitral proceedings.
After that partner instituted an employment complaint through MOHRE to the Dubai Labour Court, the firm applied for an anti-suit injunction in England, on the basis that the Dubai proceedings breached the Arbitration Clause, on the basis that the MOHRE contract did not represent the parties’ actual intentions. This application was unsuccessful.
To read the full case analysis, see here.