The Role of ‘Soft law’ in Public The Role of ‘Soft law’ in Public International Law and its International Law and its

Relevance to the International Relevance to the International

Legal Regulation of Outer SpaceLegal Regulation of Outer Space

Steven FreelandSteven FreelandUniversity of Western SydneyUniversity of Western Sydney

University of Copenhagen University of Copenhagen

Reliance on/need for Hard Reliance on/need for Hard Sources of International Sources of International

LawLaw• The Breadth of International LawThe Breadth of International Law

• The Sources of International LawThe Sources of International Law

• ‘‘Hard’ Space LawHard’ Space Law

• Lagging behind the Development of Lagging behind the Development of Space Technology / ActivitiesSpace Technology / Activities

Emergence of ‘Soft’ Space Emergence of ‘Soft’ Space LawLaw

• What is Soft Law?What is Soft Law?

• The Role of Soft LawThe Role of Soft Law

• ‘‘Soft’ Space LawSoft’ Space Law

How to Assess Soft Space How to Assess Soft Space LawLaw

• The Advantages of Soft Space LawThe Advantages of Soft Space Law

• The Legal Status of Soft Space LawThe Legal Status of Soft Space Law

• A Cautionary WarningA Cautionary Warning

• The Way ForwardThe Way Forward