Role of Lawyers in Peace Processes

Prosecuting Aggression: Ukraine, Russia, and the Case for a Special Tribunal with Dr. Gaiane Nuridzhanian

Why does the crime of aggression matter for Ukraine and international peace?
How can a Special Tribunal hold Russian leaders accountable?In this episode of Lawyering Peace, Ukrainian international lawyer Dr. Gaiane Nuridzhanian joins the conversation to explain the case for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Dr. Nuridzhanian walks us through the evolution of the debate surrounding the crime of aggression, and presents a treaty-based tribunal—supported by Ukraine and the Council of Europe—as a legally sound, politically feasible alternative.
The conversation explores legal and strategic questions around the establishment of such a tribunal, from head-of-state immunity and trials in absentia to the inclusion of victims and its implications for future peace negotiations.
In a moment when the rules-based international legal order is under threat, our conversation with Dr. Nuridzhanian reminds us why prosecuting Russia’s war of aggression is critical not just for Ukraine, but for global accountability and future conflict prevention. Tune in for a timely discussion on justice, accountability, and international legal innovation.
-----------------------Ukraine and its allies stand at a critical juncture as they pursue a just and lasting peace and an end to Russia’s war of aggression. The road ahead is fraught with difficult issues that will arise during a future peace process, from territorial integrity and post-war security frameworks to EU accession and justice and accountability.
In this special mini-series, Prospects for Peace In Ukraine, we sit down with Ukrainian and international experts in law, diplomacy, and peace negotiations to explore some of these key issues. Together, we examine the strategies, options, and opportunities ahead as Ukraine and its allies navigate the peace process against a shifting international landscape.

Judicial Reforms in Ukraine: Pathways to EU Membership with Prof. Tetyana Antsupova

How is Ukraine reforming its judiciary while defending itself from Russian aggression?
What role does judicial reform play in Ukraine’s pursuit of EU membership and democratic transformation?In this episode, Prof. Tetyana Antsupova joins Dr. Paul R. Williams on the Lawyering Peace podcast.
Prof. Antsupova—former Supreme Court judge of Ukraine and British Academy Research Fellow—shares personal and professional reflections on the sweeping judicial reforms unfolding in Ukraine since 2014.
This episode examines how Ukraine is rebuilding judicial institutions in line with EU standards, balancing wartime pressures with long-term goals. Prof. Antsupova highlights the role of international experts, civil society, and European partners in building trust, advancing independence, and fostering resilience within the judiciary.
She also reflects on lessons from other EU states, the unique challenges of judicial reform during active conflict, and the urgent need for long-term strategic planning and public confidence in the rule of law.
This conversation demonstrates how Ukraine’s judiciary stands as a testament to resilience and reform in the face of aggression.
-----------------------Ukraine and its allies stand at a critical juncture as they pursue a just and lasting peace and an end to Russia’s war of aggression. The road ahead is fraught with difficult issues that will arise during a future peace process, from territorial integrity and post-war security frameworks to EU accession and justice and accountability.
In this special mini-series, Prospects for Peace In Ukraine, we sit down with Ukrainian and international experts in law, diplomacy, and peace negotiations to explore some of these key issues. Together, we examine the strategies, options, and opportunities ahead as Ukraine and its allies navigate the peace process against a shifting international landscape.

Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran: Advising the Tamil Tigers During the 2000 Sri Lanka Peace Process

Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran joins Dr. Williams on this compelling episode of Lawyering Peace. Mr. Rudrakumaran, or Rudra, served as the former legal advisor to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the peace talks with the Government of Sri Lanka that commenced in 2000. He is currently heading the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam in exile as its Prime Minister. 
Rudra provides a vivid recount of the context leading to the Norwegian-facilitated peace process in Thailand, detailing his journey to becoming the LTTE’s chief legal advisor. He delves into the unique challenges faced by lawyers representing non-state armed actors in peace negotiations, particularly the struggle to achieve and maintain parity with state actors amidst international perspectives favoring states.
Through gripping narratives, Rudra illustrates how the LTTE sought to counterbalance the government’s legal and resource advantages by leveraging the Tamil diaspora and engaging in strategic lawfare. He offers practical advice for lawyers on how to effectively integrate into their client's team and utilize soft power to influence negotiations.
Rudra's experiences underscore Dr. Williams’ frequent assertion about the need to understand and navigate the parallel agendas of international mediators. He candidly discusses how these separate interests contributed to the challenges faced by the LTTE and the eventual collapse of the peace process. The episode also touches on the importance of diaspora involvement, the dynamics between local communities and the diaspora, and the pursuit of justice through international mechanisms.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the Sri Lankan peace talks, the role of lawyers in representing non-state actors, and the impact of international third-party mediators in peace processes.
-------------
Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Paul R. Williams
Co-Producer & Content Manager: Katie Hetherington 
Co-Producer & Creative Manager: Ryan Westlake 
 

Betsy Popken: 2015 - 2017 Geneva Peace Talks for Syria

In this episode of "Lawyering Peace," we delve into the intricate dynamics of peace negotiation delegations, with a special focus on the critical roles played by women leaders in the Syrian opposition delegation. Our guest, Betsy Popken, brings insights from her tenure as the chief legal advisor during the Geneva peace talks (2015 - 2017). Peek into the rigorous training and strategic planning that goes into preparing a delegation for high-stakes negotiations, and learn how roles and responsibilities are assigned to harness the strengths of diverse team members, particularly the leading women. This discussion offers a unique glimpse into the challenging yet fascinating process of negotiating peace, and the vital aspects of training and leading a negotiation team effectively.

Mathew Simpson: 2011 Doha Peace Negotiations

Matt Simpson has been engaged in several peace and post-conflict processes around the world, and is now Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice at Mintz. This episode delves into Matt’s role as the Principal Legal Advisor to the Darfur Delegation in the Doha Round of Peace Negotiations, which aimed to resolve the Darfur conflict. In this position, Matt led a team of over two dozen international legal and policy advisors, and was charged with advising on the full range of issues that presented themselves during the negotiations, including power sharing, security arrangements, demilitarization, wealth allocation from natural resources, and the return of displaced persons. In this interview, Matt discusses the challenges and intricacies of his role, providing insights into the reality of peace negotiations as well as lessons learned for other contexts.