Claire Missick
Public International Aviation & Space Law
LEGAL SCHOLAR. INTERNATIONAL POLCY
LL.M. Candidate
McGill Institute of Air & Space Law
Helping shape the international legal frameworks defining States' (sovereign nations') rights and obligations in aviation and outer space through research, policy, and collaboration with governments and international organizations.
International Aviation
As aviation evolves, so must the international legal frameworks that govern it. My work examines gaps and emerging issues in international aviation law, drawing on treaties, customary international law, and other sources of international law to clarify States' rights and obligations and contribute to stronger, more coherent global legal frameworks.
Outer Space Governance
I examine where existing international legal frameworks leave uncertainty, and explore how treaties, customary international law, and other sources of international law can help clarify States' rights, responsibilities, and obligations in outer space activities.
Public International Law
Public international law governs the relationships between sovereign States, defining their rights and obligations while providing mechanisms peaceful resolution of disputes between States. My work encompasses inter-State dispute resolution before international courts, tribunals, and other international bodies, concerning international aviation, outer space activities, and treaty interpretation.
Current Research
State Obligations in International Aviation
Examining international aviation disasters and incidents that may engage State responsibility, assessing whether existing treaties and other rules of international law provide an effective legal response, and identifying gaps requiring clarification or further development.
State Responsibility for Space Debris
Examining how existing international law allocates responsibility for space debris and whether customary international law can help address gaps in the current legal framework.
Interactive visualization courtesy of OrbitSmith.
Treaty Interpretation & the Progressive Development of Space Law
Examining how the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, customary international law, and analogous legal regimes—particularly the law of the sea—can clarify States' rights and obligations, address gaps in existing space treaties, and inform the progressive development of international space law.
Inter-State Dispute Resolution for Outer Space Activities
Researching inter-State disputes arising from outer space activities, including the legal issues they present, the rights and obligations of States, and the international fora available for their peaceful resolution.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
McGill University
LL.M. Candidate, Institute of Air & Space Law
Université Paris Nanterre
LL.M. Public International Law, magna cum laude
American University
Juris Doctor, cum laude
National Space Legislation
Developing legal frameworks to assist States in implementing international space law through effective domestic legislation while promoting responsible, sustainable, and peaceful space activities.
Courtesy of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
Experience
Foley Hoag LLP
Public International Law Practice| Paris & Washington, D.C.
ICSID (World Bank Group)| Washington, D.C.
International Dispute Resolution
International Court of Justice (ICJ)| The Netherlands
Experience in Inter-State Proceedings
Research Collaboration & Institutional Engagement
I welcome opportunities to collaborate with governments, international organizations, universities, research institutions, and legal practitioners on projects involving public international law, aviation law, space law, treaty interpretation, State responsibility, and international dispute resolution.
Collaboration Interests
- Government advisory projects
- International organizations
- Treaty interpretation
- Aviation & space law research
- State responsibility
- Inter-State dispute resolution
- Speaking engagements
- Academic collaboration
Insights
Building National Space Legislation: From Treaty Obligations to Effective Domestic Implementation
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
These essays explore emerging questions in public international law, aviation law, and space law. Drawing on treaty interpretation, customary international law, comparative legal analysis, and State practice, they examine how international legal frameworks can evolve alongside technological innovation while promoting legal certainty, international cooperation, and the peaceful uses of outer space.
As more States adopt national space legislation, significant differences have emerged in how international obligations are implemented domestically. This paper examines the core legal provisions that national space legislation should include to effectively implement obligations arising under the Outer Space Treaty, Rescue Agreement, Liability Convention, Registration Convention, customary international law, and other relevant international instruments. It proposes a framework to assist States in developing coherent, comprehensive, and internationally compliant space legislation.
12 Oct 2026 • 8 min read
State Responsibility for Space Debris: Filling Treaty Gaps Through Customary International Law and the Law of the Sea
The existing space treaties provide only limited guidance regarding State obligations to prevent and manage orbital debris. This paper explores how customary international law, together with principles developed under the law of the sea—including due diligence, prevention of transboundary harm, environmental protection, and international cooperation—can help clarify States' obligations while informing the progressive development of international space law.
28 Sep 2026 • 6 min read
Inter-State Dispute Resolution in Outer Space: Choosing the Right Forum for International Space Disputes
As governmental and commercial space activities expand, disputes between States will become increasingly complex. This paper examines the international fora available for resolving disputes arising from outer space activities—including the International Court of Justice, arbitration, and other peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms—and evaluates how jurisdiction, applicable law, and State consent influence the effective resolution of international space disputes.