Overview

The Stockton Center for International Law (SCIL) is an internationally recognized research institute for the study of international law and military operations that produces original analysis for national decision-makers, senior military leaders, scholars, and legal practitioners throughout the world in order to better grasp the role of international law in naval, Joint and Combined operations. SCIL is a department in the Center for Naval Warfare Studies that produces original research and analysis of both international law and military operations to educate and inform military leaders, national decision makers, and international law practitioners and scholars. The results of this analysis shapes legal interpretations affecting U.S. and partner nation forces throughout the world. Our program provides international law research, analysis, and teaching to support the development of the Navy’s future strategy, the education and training of Navy leadership, and the conduct of fleet, joint, and combined operations. We also provide legal support to wargames and advice to the Fleet and other Department of Defense entities on a variety of international and operational law issues. We serve as the Primary Review Authority for the Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations, and have participated in the Tallinn Manual, the San Remo Manual, the Woomera Manual, the Harvard Air and Missile Warfare Manual, and other influential publications. Annually, the Stockton Center hosts legal research workshops on emergent issues drawing many of the world’s leading international law experts, including the annual Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference. SCIL publishes the International Law Studies journal, the U.S. Naval War College's journal for international law. First published in 1895, it is the oldest international law periodical in the United States. Each year, the journal publishes faculty peer-reviewed articles and analysis from the world’s leading experts.