Information

September 2025 - October 2027
Study Mode Part-time
Application start 3 February 2025
Application end 31 May 2025

Giovanni Distefano

Giovanni Distefano

Professor of International Law at the University of Neuchatel

Areas of expertise

Use of Force  /  Law of Treaties  /  State Responsibility  /  Territorial and Maritime Disputes  /  Theory and History of Public International Law

Giovanni Distefano has been Professor of International Law at the University of Neuchatel since 2009. His areas of research and expertise include public international law, the law of treaties, state responsibility and use of force.

Giovanni Distefano has previously taught at the universities of Geneva, Lausanne, Catania (Italy), Al-Ain (UAE), IHEI (Paris) and Paris 1 Sorbonne.  He received his PhD in International relations, majoring in International law, from the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva.

Taught Courses

A wide view of the UN Security Council Short Course

Sanctions in Public International Law

This online short course provides an introduction to the regime of sanctions under international law and their effectiveness in addressing contemporary forms of conflict. It addresses the questions related to state responsibility, the pacific settlement of international disputes and the role of the International Court of Justice.

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The International Court of Justice in session Short Course

Sources of Public International Law

This online short course dwells on the means of international law-making (treaties, customary international law, unilateral acts, general principles of law etc.). In other words, the course looks at the sources from which public international law rules stem and at the entities that are empowered with the capacity of law-making in the international legal order.

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The UN Security Council Short Course

Introduction to Public International Law and Subjects of the International Legal Order

This online short course focuses on the role of public international law in international relations and on international legal persons.

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A wide view of the UN Security Council Short Course

Sanctions in Public International Law

This online short course provides an introduction to the regime of sanctions under international law and their effectiveness in addressing contemporary forms of conflict. It addresses the questions related to state responsibility, the pacific settlement of international disputes and the role of the International Court of Justice.

Read More >

Publications

Cover page of the book

Fundamentals of Public International Law. A Sketch of the International Legal Order

May 2019

Giovanni Distefano

Brill

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Cover page of the book

Droit international des espaces

December 2017

Giovanni Distefano

Editions Pedone

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Book cover of La convention de Vienne de 1978 sur la succession d'États en matière de traités

La convention de Vienne de 1978 sur la succession d'États en matière de traités

February 2016

Giovanni Distefano, Gloria Gaggioli, Aymeric Hêche

Bruylant

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Cover page of the book

L’ordre international entre légalité et effectivité. Le titre juridique dans le contentieux territorial

June 2002

Giovanni Distefano

Editions Pedone

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