Space law as lex specialis to international law

Ramuš Cvetkovič, Iva (author), Sancin, Vasilka (mentor)

Širitev mednarodnega prava se odraža v poglobljeni regulaciji številnih novih pravnih področij, vključno z vesoljskim pravom, po drugi strani pa vodi v fragmentacijo mednarodnopravnega sistema. Narava vesoljskih aktivnosti je zelo kompleksna, zaradi česar je eden izmed pogostih izzivov kako določiti, katere pravne norme so uporabljive v določenem primeru ter katera prevlada v primeru konflikta. Eno izmed pravil za reševanje konfliktov med pravnimi normami je pravilo lex specialis derogat legi generali, ki določa, da specialnejša norma prevlada in razveljavi splošnejšo. To magistrsko diplomsko delo v prvem delu predstavi teoretično ozadje pravila lex specialis, njegovo uporabljivost v mednarodnem pravu ter njegovo interakcijo z drugimi tehnikami za reševanje konfliktov norm. V drugem delu najprej preučuje, ali in v kakšni meri lahko vesoljsko pravo štejemo za lex specialis v razmerju do splošnega mednarodnega prava, ocenjujoč možnosti označevanja vesoljskega prava kot samozadosten režim ali pa kot lex specialis v razmerju do sekundarnih pravil o odgovornosti držav. Nato preučuje, ali lahko vesoljsko pravo štejemo za lex specialis v razmerju do podvrst mednarodnega prava, natančneje, mednarodnega okoljskega prava v primeru povzročanja okoljske škode ali odstranjevanja vesoljskih smeti, ter mednarodnega investicijskega prava v primeru investicij v vesolje. V luči pospešenega razvoja vesoljske industrije ter zatrjevane specialne narave vesoljskega prava sledi ocena o obstoju potrebe po novem mednarodnem tribunalu, specializiranim za spore, ki izhajajo iz vesoljskih aktivnosti.

• Language: English
• Keywords: vesoljsko pravo, lex specialis, mednarodno pravo, konflikt norm, fragmentacija, odgovornost držav, okoljsko pravo, investicijsko pravo, vesoljske smeti, vesoljsko sodišče
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: PF - Faculty of Law
• Year: 2021
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-130477
• COBISS.SI-ID: 76520707
• Publication date in RUL: 15.09.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Vesoljsko pravo kot lex specialis mednarodnega prava

Abstract

The expansion of international law has resulted in a detailed regulation of various new legal fields - for example space law - on one hand, and a fragmentation of the international legal system on the other. The nature of space activities is extremely complex, therefore one of the challenges is how to determine which norms are applicable in a particular case and in case of a conflict of norms, which norms prevail. One of the rules for resolution of such conflicts is the lex specialis derogat legi generali rule, which determines that a more special provision prevails over a more general one and derogates it. This thesis in its first part presents the theoretical background of the lex specialis rule, its application to international law and its interaction with other conflict-solution techniques. In the second part, it examines firstly, whether and to what extent space law may be considered lex specialis to general international law, assessing the possibilities of space law being labelled as a self-contained regime or a lex specialis to the secondary rules on State responsibility. Secondly, it examines whether space law is lex specialis to the two sub-branches of international law - namely, international environmental law in case of environmental harm or the removal of space debris and international investment law in case of investments in outer space. In light of the increasing development of the space sector and the alleged special nature of space law an assessment is made whether there exists a need for a new international tribunal, specialized for disputes arising from space activities.

• Keywords: space law, lex specialis, international law, conflict of norms, fragmentation, State responsibility, environmental law, investment law, space debris, space court