News
It is with deep sorrow and great regret that we learnt about the death of
Andrzej Misztal,
the exceptional friend of our Center,
Chairman of the Working Group on Legal Aspects of Activities Related to Space Resources,
Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space,
and an outstanding legal expert.
Andrzej Misztal was born on November 9, 1968, in Pińczów. He had been in diplomatic service since 1992. He began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992 as an expert in the Treaty Department. From 1996 to 1998, he served as Assistant to the Secretary of State, Ambassador Eugeniusz Wyzner. Throughout his career, he held positions such as Deputy Director and Director of the Legal and Treaty Department, Legal Advisor of the Republic of Poland to the UN, and representative of Poland in the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. He was also Deputy Ambassador - Permanent Representative of Poland to the United Nations Office in Geneva. Additionally, he represented Poland in the International Commission for the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen and was a Senior Arctic Official – the representative of Poland to the Arctic Council.
From 2018 to 2020, he served as Chairman of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS, fulfilling his duties during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the continuity of the work of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS.
In 2020, the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS, nominated by Belgium and Greece, selected Ambassador Andrzej Misztal as the Moderator of consultations on potential legal models for activities in the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources. The following year, the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS adopted a five-year plan and methodology developed by Andrzej Misztal and Steven Freeland for the Working Group on Legal Aspects of Activities Related to Space Resources, simultaneously appointing both gentlemen as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this Group, respectively.
Ambassador Andrzej Misztal had been cooperating with the International Aviation and Space Law Department team for years and supported the idea of establishing the Center. He attended all scientific seminars, supported us with his knowledge and experience, and always lightened the mood with his unique sense of humor.
Despite the positions he held and the immense international recognition, to us, he was always Andrzejek, who filled every room he entered with warmth and kindness. We will miss Him very much!
In mourning and sorrow over the passing of Ambassador Andrzej Misztal, we extend our condolences and sympathy to his Family and Loved Ones.
Members of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Center.
The Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law
is honored to invite for a scientific seminar entitled:
Legal Aspects of Satellite Constellations
Seminar guests are:
Dr Damian M. Bielicki
Senior Lecturer in Law and Director of the Law & Technology Research Group at Kingston University London
The seminar, conducted in English, will take place on 28 November at 6:30 PM
online on the ZOOM platform
The Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law
and
The Polish Space Professionals Association
is honored to invite for a scientific seminar entitled:
European Space Diplomacy
Seminar guests are:
Julien Beclard and Nathan Talmi,
diplomats of the Kingdom of Belgium,
Martyna Perek
First Secretary at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland in Brussels (in the years 2016-2022).
The seminar, conducted in English, will take place on April 11th from 5:00 PM in room 114
Collegium Iuridicum IV, ul. Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 47,
and online on the ZOOM platform
Publication of research presented during the conference: “50 years – the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Object - Balance and Prospects”
On December 9 th, 2022, the conference titled “50 years – the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Object - Balance and Prospects” was organized by the Department of International Aviation and Space Law, Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw and Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law
After reviewing the published materials Prof. Dr. Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University and Professorial Fellow at Bond University, Australia, special guest of the conference, said:
“It was a pleasure to participate in an excellent conference in late 2022 organised by the Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Liability Convention. There were so many interesting and important insights raised during the Conference by the international and Polish space law experts who participated. Several of the participants have published their observations in the latest volume of Studia Iuridica journal, which I highly recommend. This Conference was yet another example of the excellent and ground-breaking research undertaken by the Center, and I am honoured and delighted to cooperate and collaborate with its members on several important issues”
You can download the materials from:
https://studiaiuridica.pl/resources/html/articlesList?issueId=15749.
It is with deep sorrow that we learnt about the death of our Mentor and Friend, Prof. Dr. Piotr Wolanski. He passed away on August 31, 2023, at the age of 81.
He was friend of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Center, long-time chairman of the Space and Satellite Research Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, honorary chairman of the Space and Satellite Research Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, retired professor at the Warsaw University of Technology, professor at the Institute of Aviation - Łukasiewicz Research Network.
Professor Piotr Wolański was an outstanding scientist, a distinguished academic, author of more than 500 scientific publications, and a world-class specialist in the fields of combustion engine research, detonation, explosions, and astrophysics. He was investigating combustion problems and he created the school of fluid explosivity. He made contributed greatly to the development of Polish science and technology, especially in the field of space exploration. He was a co-organizer of the new course of study "Aviation and Space Science" at the Warsaw University of Technology. He founded the Student Astronautical Circle, which constructed the first Polish artificial satellite PW-Sat, launched on February 13, 2012.
Professor Wolański was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Gold Cross of Merit, the Medal of the Commission of National Education and the Medal of the Warsaw University of Technology. Despite his positions, honors and recognition, he was always a kind, supportive and a helpful Man, one of the most distinguished members of the academic community, and an example for future generations of scientists.
Members of the Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law
Address by IISL on transferring the presidency of the Manfred Lachs Centre for Space Law at the occasion of the University of Warsaw held Conference on 50 Years of the Liability Convention, Warsaw, 9 December 2022
The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) would like to congratulate the Department of International Aviation and Space Law in the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw, Prof. Katarzyna Myszona-Kostrzewa and Dr. Zuzanna Kulińska-Kępa, for holding the outstanding Conference on the anniversary of the Liability Convention. At the same time, IISL would like to take the opportunity of the transfer of presidency of the Manfred Lachs Centre for Space Law to the Department to acknowledge the exceptional importance of its name bearer, Judge Manfred Lachs, for the development of space law.
Prof. Manfred Lachs was a pioneer and strong supporter of space law throughout his time at the International Court of Justice, as member from 1967 to 1993 and as its President from 1973 to 1976. The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) is extremely honoured through Judge Lachs’ readiness to hold its Presidency from 1990 to 1993. Nobody has been more important for developing space law and for promoting the rule of law in outer space than him. IISL honours Judge Lachs through naming its global moot court competition after him. The IISL Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, every year brings together hundreds of students on all continents. Its finals are judged since today by three Judges from the ICJ – a practice Judge Lachs has established, for which IISL is most grateful and the students competing are provided with a highlight of their academic life.
IISL is glad to see the continuously high esteem of Judge Lachs in Poland, which has built excellence both in the academic and the diplomatic field. This spans from Amb. Eugene Wyzmer to Amb. Andrzej Misztal, who have been most influential in shaping international space law through their highest diplomatic positions. Together with Judge Lachs, they are role models for Poland’s young generations of space lawyers. The Polish space law community’s participation in IISL and also ECSL is most welcome as it brings in exceptional talent and perspectives for the future of space law.
Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl
President
International Institute of Space Law (IISL)
Paris, 9 December 2022