Aviation law experts from DePaul University available to speak on the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention
Dec. 7 marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of international aviation’s ‘constitution’
CHICAGO — Some 70 years ago, the United States invited the nations of the world to Chicago for an international civil aviation conference. The conference produced an agreement that has been described as international aviation’s “constitution.” That agreement is the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention. It was signed Dec. 7, 1944, at the Stevens Hotel, now the Chicago Hilton and Towers, on South Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
Legal scholars from the International Aviation Law Institute at DePaul University’s College of Law are available to provide insight and commentary on the Chicago Convention and the current challenges facing international aviation. Those challenges include security, political and military conflict, the aftermath of MH370 and MH17, struggles for dominance among largely competitive carriers and regions, risk management including health crises like the Ebola virus, human capital shortage, interface between military operations and civil aviation, and environment and climate change issues.
DePaul’s aviation law experts include:
Brian F. Havel, a distinguished research professor of law and associate dean for international affairs in the College of Law, where he also is director of the International Aviation Law Institute. “The Chicago Convention and the International Civil Aviation Organization it produced are relative hidden gems among the numerous international institutions that were created near the end of World War II,” said Havel. “Together they have made possible an impressive level of collaboration between states on issues such as safety standards and air traffic management that are essential to global commerce.” Havel can be reached at [email protected] or 312-362-5222.
Bruce L. Ottley, professor and interim dean in the College of Law, where he also is co-director of the International Aviation Law Institute. “Air transport is almost inherently an international industry and is becoming an increasingly global one as well,” Ottley said. “With future growth expected to be concentrated outside of the U.S. and Europe, the international legal framework and organization being celebrated as we mark the 70th anniversary should assume even greater importance in the years to come.” Ottley can be reached at [email protected] or 312-362-8145.
John Q. Mulligan, the FedEx/United Airlines Resident Research Fellow in the College of Law, where he teaches public international aviation law. “This anniversary comes as the International Civil Aviation Organization is facing arguably its greatest test, the development of a framework plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation,” said Mulligan. “Responsibility for climate change mitigation remains an issue on which there is less common ground than the issues on which the agency has historically focused such as navigational standards.” Mulligan can be reached at [email protected] or 312-362-6227.
The International Aviation Law Institute at DePaul University was established in 2004 and strives to be the premier source for research, analysis, and study of international aviation law and policy, according to Stephen Rudolph, executive director.
The College of Law at DePaul University is the only law school in the United States that offers graduate degrees in international aviation law, according to Ottley.
“DePaul’s aviation law offerings and its specialized institute for the study of aviation law are unique in U.S. legal education, and allow us to stand out a bit from the crowd,” Ottley said. “I believe that the curriculum and the institute have been of huge benefit to our students, who have joined the airline industry, the Federal Aviation Administration and private aviation law practices after graduation.”
More information about DePaul’s College of Law is online at http://law.depaul.edu. Information about the International Aviation Law Institute is at http://bit.ly/127ktrR.
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