Outline Chambers Briefings | International Legal News
29 June 2026
Each week, Outline Chambers provides a concise overview of key developments across international law, arbitration and global governance.
This week's International Legal News highlights significant developments across international human rights, criminal law, and the rule of law. From a record rise in child deprivation of liberty applications in the UK and regulatory reforms at the International Criminal Court, to China's new ethnic unity legislation, legal questions arising from alleged drone strikes in Romania, and concerns over Argentina's proposed lobbying bill, this edition examines key legal developments shaping the international landscape.
26 June 2026
European Convention: Deprivation of Liberty applications concerning Children soar
It has been reported by the Ministry of Justice that 393 children were subject to deprivation of liberty (“DoL”) applications in the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly record since data collection began in 2023.
The news comes after the UK Supreme Court handed down its Judgment on deprivation of liberty, mental capacity, and valid consent in A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of a devolution issue under paragraph 34 of Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 [2026] UKSC 16 (02 June 2026). In that case, the Supreme Court considered what counts as a “deprivation of liberty” under article 5(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”) for adults who do not have mental capacity to make their own decisions about their residence and care arrangements, and further, whether the Minister of Health for Northern Ireland, who sought to issue a revised code of practice whether that code would be incompatible with convention rights.
In brief the Supreme Court held unanimously that the Minister would not be acting incompatibly, overruling past precedent.
For more on this story, see here.
For a summary of the Supreme Court Judgment, see here.
For the full judgment, see here.
25 June 2026
International Criminal Law: ICC Judges amend Regulations of the Court to regulate the closure of case and situation records
It is reported that the Judges of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) have adopted an amendment to the Regulations of the Court.
Regulation 66 ter regulates the closure of case and situation records. It is reported that the new regulation intends to ensure there is greater clarity and transparency in relation to the closure of situations and allows the Court to communicate its pending case load, when a prosecutor decides not to initiate an investigation in a matter referred to by a state party.
The amendment to the Regulations will be circulated to state parties for comment. Pursuant to article 52(3) of the Rome Statute, if within six months from circulation, no objections are offered by a majority of State Parties, the amendment shall remain in force.
For more on this story, see here.
24 June 2026
International Human Rights: China defends new ethnic unity law
It is reported that a new “ethnic unity law” set to take effect in China from the 1 July 2026. According to Justice Ministry Hu Weilie, the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law is said to provide that organisations and individuals outside of China that engage in acts that “undermine ethnic solidarity and progress or incite ethnic separatism” will be held legally accountable. However: "It does not affect normal people-to-people exchanges, academic research, or economic and trade cooperation between China and other countries."
For more on this story, see here.
23 June 2026
Blog Corner: “Romania dispatch: drones over Romania raise international law questions”
A dispatch written by Mihai Coca-Constantinescu of the University of Groningen, examines the possible international law implications of two recent alleged Russian drone strikes that took place in Romania over a week, which also allegedly caused physical injury to civilians.
Although Russia denied responsibility for a strike that took place in Galați, the immediate political repercussions were quickly realised, with President Nicușor Dan declaring the Russian consul in Constanța persona non grata and announcing the closure of the Russian consulate in the city.
Coca-Constantinescu provides a considered analysis over how these events engage the United Nations Charter, and the North Atlantic Treaty, as well as domestic Romanian law.
To read this article, see here.
22 June 2026
Rule of Law: Lobbying Bill causes concerns in Argentina
It is reported that a Bill which is designed to address lobbying has been presented to Argentina’s congress, would place unreasonable burdens on independent human rights organisations and other civil society groups.
The Bill reportedly seeks to promote greater transparency and integrity, but also imposes legal risks, which the NGO Human Rights watch suggests, would “…prevent many civil society groups from participating in the policymaking process”.
The bill would create a Public Registry of Interest Representation and require professional lobbyists as well as representatives of companies to register, as well as place registration obligations on affected persons to document contact with government authorities, as well as modify the Argentinian Criminal Code – allowing up to two years in prison for anyone who engages in unauthorised lobbying.
Are these provisions to overbearing, or do they strike a fair balance with concerns of transparency with democratic institutions? Comments welcome.
For more on this story, see here.
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