Emerging Areas of Law Practice: Space Law

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 Written by Precious Owen


As a child, imagining the legal profession would be filled with images of a well-robed legal practitioner, standing in court and speaking well-laced compelling words on criminal or land matters. While this is part of the legal profession, it is rather a small faction of the legal world.


The world has evolved so much and law is not exempted from this evolution. With the advancement of science and technology, the legal profession has expanded far beyond our wildest dreams.


Photo Credit: ISPI

Space law is one of the emerging areas of law, making strides with every new day. Space law comprises all laws that govern space-related activities, with the subject matter being the areas above the Karman line, about 60 miles above earth's surface.


Interestingly, space law dates as far back as 1919; International law officially recognised the sovereignty of each nation over their airspace above them. This was officially reinforced at the Chicago Convention in 1944.


Space law is intertwined with international law as it comprises several treaties, agreements and conventions by the various countries of the world, and international organisations. 


The United Nations Office For Outer Space Affairs notes that:


Space law addresses a variety of matters, such as, for example, the preservation of the space and Earth environment, liability for damages caused by space objects, the settlement of disputes, the rescue of astronauts, the sharing of information about potential dangers in outer space, the use of space-related technologies, and international cooperation. A number of fundamental principles guide the conduct of space activities, including the notion of space as the province of all humankind, the freedom of exploration and use of outer space by all states without discrimination, and the principle of non-appropriation of outer space.


Photo Credit: Ralcolb Legal 

Space law is rapidly securing a place in the legal profession as a whole and several legal practitioners are interested in this highly lucrative area of law. This goes to show that indeed, the legal profession does not suffer limitation.

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