Catherine Adams

Biography

Dr Catherine Adams is a specialist in certain aspects of international humanitarian law and international criminal law.

Her PhD thesis considered the application of international criminal law as it relates to the protection of civilians during hostilities. This was explored through the lens of certain trials held at and decisions made by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Catherine is currently interested in the broader application (for example, before the International Criminal Court) of matters raised in her research into the work of the ICTY. This includes questions as to what evidence is necessary and sufficient to prove crimes involving the targeting of civilians have been committed as well as considering the mechanics of judicial decision making in trials for alleged war crimes. She is interested in the place of ‘humanity’ in international law and the significance of the archive of the ICTY’s work in developing this law.

After her initial legal studies, Catherine undertook an internship at the ITCY. She subsequently qualified and worked as a solicitor in international corporate practice prior to undertaking a PhD.

Qualifications

• LLB, Durham University
• LLM in International and European Legal Studies, Durham University
• MRes in War Studies, King’s College London
• PhD in War Studies, King’s College London

Research Interests

• International Humanitarian Law/Law of Armed Conflict
• International Criminal Law
• Public International Law
• International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

Publications

• International Law and Institutional Legacy (Book Chapter, Sole Author) In Prosecuting war crimes: lessons and legacies of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, edited by James Gow, Rachel Kerr, and Zoran Pajić, 58-87. Abingdon, Oxon; New York: Routledge, 2014.