Six-week Capsule Course on Navigating the New Frontier – Space Arbitration

Space law and space arbitration are among the most niche and fast-growing areas of legal practice globally. As India's commercial space sector expands following liberalisation policies and the rise of private space startups, legal professionals with a working understanding of space-related disputes and regulatory frameworks are increasingly in demand. This course positions law students early in that conversation.

For law students and researchers specifically, this programme offers structured exposure to international arbitration principles applied in a space commerce context — a combination rarely taught in standard LLB or LLM curricula. The practical simulations and drafting exercises mean you walk away with hands-on skills, not just theoretical knowledge. This is particularly valuable if you are interested in careers in international commercial arbitration, technology law, or policy advisory roles.

The certificate from a recognised institution like MERI's Department of Space Studies adds a verifiable, specialised credential to your profile — one that clearly distinguishes you in a competitive job market or during applications for further studies and fellowships in international or space law.

The course has a broad and inclusive eligibility criterion, making it accessible to a wide range of participants across legal, technical, and policy backgrounds. The following categories are explicitly welcomed:

• Advocates and Arbitration Practitioners looking to expand into the space law domain
• Corporate and Technology Lawyers dealing with commercial contracts and emerging technology regulation
• Law Students and Researchers at any stage of their legal education who are interested in space law or international arbitration
• Engineering and Aerospace Students seeking a legal and regulatory understanding of the space industry
• Space Startups and Entrepreneurs who want foundational knowledge of the legal frameworks governing their sector
• Academicians and Policy Makers engaged in research or governance in space-related areas

No specific year-of-study restriction has been mentioned, which means students from any year of their law programme can apply. Similarly, there is no stated restriction on institution type or nationality. If you fall into any of the categories above, you are encouraged to apply. For any specific eligibility queries, it is advisable to contact the organisers directly through the official application portal.

To make the most of this course, some preparation before the start date on 15 June 2026 will go a long way:

• Build a basic foundation in public international law — understanding concepts like state responsibility, treaties, and international jurisdiction will help you engage more confidently with space law topics, which draw heavily from these principles.
• Familiarise yourself with key space law instruments — the Outer Space Treaty (1967), Liability Convention (1972), and Registration Convention (1976) are foundational texts in any space law curriculum. Reading summaries or academic introductions to these will give you a useful baseline.
• Brush up on arbitration fundamentals — if you are not from an arbitration background, reviewing how international commercial arbitration works (including concepts like seat of arbitration, enforcement of awards, and institutional vs. ad hoc arbitration) will help you follow the course content more effectively.
• Follow current developments in commercial space — stay updated on news involving satellite disputes, launch service agreements, and space startup regulatory developments in India and internationally. This will make the contemporary case studies in the course far more meaningful.
• Engage actively in simulations — practical simulations and drafting exercises are where the real learning happens. Come prepared to participate, ask questions, and take notes on feedback from experts. Passive attendance in a course like this significantly reduces the value you take away.
• Network intentionally — with a diverse cohort including practitioners, entrepreneurs, and academics, this is an unusual peer group. Introduce yourself, exchange contacts, and engage beyond the formal sessions where possible.