States and some organisations have expressed their views about the utility, purpose, scope and process of the legal review of weapons in various different contexts. Some of these views have been recorded domestic documents, such as military manuals on the law of armed conflict. Increasingly, however, States and organisations have articulated their positions in a range of international fora, either through written submissions or oral interventions.
This database compiles and organises publicly expressed views in relation to legal reviews, without prejudice to their relative significance or effect (for example, in terms of the development of customary international law). The database aims to comprehensively reflect the views of states but only covers the positions of a small number of selected organisations.
This database currently contains 379 positions and is continuously updated. Any corrections, or suggestions to add material, are welcome.
2019
United States, Military Manual (Land Warfare)
Ensuring the Legality of Weapons and Weapon Systems 2-200. Under longstanding DOD policies, there are requirements to review the legality of the acquisition or procurement of weapons. Although the United States is not a party to Additional Protocol I, many allies and potential multinational partners …
2015
United States, Military Manual
6.2 DoD Policy of Reviewing the Legality of Weapons As provided in DoD issuances, DoD policy for many years has required the legal review of the intended acquisition or procurement of weapons or weapon systems; this review includes ensuring that such acquisition or procurement is …