The Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his report to the 80th session of the General Assembly praised the continued research cooperation between the United Nations and the Faculty of Law on the preparation of the Repertory studies. The report highlights the contribution of the Law Faculty in 2025 as follows:
“The well-established cooperation with the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa continued for the fifteenth consecutive year. During the period under review, the Faculty of Law contributed to the preparation of eight studies.” (para12)
“During the reporting period, with regard to Supplement No. 11 (2010–2015), the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa completed the research on and drafting of eight studies: one study for volume II, on Article 22; three studies for volume III, on Articles 31, 37 and 47; and one study for volume IV, on Article 57. With regard to Supplement No. 12 (2016–2020), it completed two studies for volume II, on Articles 19 and 20; and one study for volume III, on Article 47.” (Para 4)
The Repertory is a legal publication containing analytical studies of decisions of the Principal Organs of the United Nations under each of the Articles of the Charter of the United Nations. During the past 15 years, 107 studies for the Repertory have been prepared both in English and French, in collaboration with the Faculty of Law. In the spring of 2025, under the supervision of adjunct professor , 8 graduate and JD students prepared 8 studies on the above Charter Articles, covering the period from 2010 to 2020.
These studies cover several topics, including, powers of the General Assembly in receiving and considering reports of other principal organs of the United Nations, powers of the Security Council as a principal organ with the primary responsibility for maintenance of peace and security, role of regional organizations in the maintenance of peace and security in close collaboration with the Security Council, role of the International Court of Justice in adjudicating disputes between states.
Congratulations to the following students whose names have been published on in appreciation of their contributions to the UN publication: Ezinne Jessica Kehana Maryam Safi, Nina Russell, Rui Samira Prime.
Students can get involved in this partnership through the “Seminar on Documenting UN Practice", CML 4108 and DCL 6121, which will be taught for the 16th consecutive year in the Winter session in 2026. Registration for the seminar is now open for graduate and upper year students. Interested students must submit their applications, along with their CVs to Professor Saeid Mirzaei Yengejeh ([email protected]).
Here are some testimonials from the students who contributed to the research project:
Ezinne CC Abanno
Participating in Professor Yengejeh’s "Documenting UN Practice" course was a deeply enriching experience and a formative milestone in my legal education. Tasked with preparing the Repertory study on Article 57 of the United Nations Charter, I gained valuable insight into the relationship between the United Nations and the specialized agencies. Through this detailed research process, I honed my skills in analyzing primary UN documents and navigating the complex architecture of the UN's institutional framework.
Beyond strengthening my research and writing abilities, working on Article 57 instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility toward preserving the United Nations' institutional history.
Rui Zhang
Taking CML4108 – Documenting UN Practice with Professor Yengejeh has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my law school journey. It offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with United Nations documents and to conduct research that contributes meaningfully to the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs.
My analysis focused specifically on Article 37 of the UN Charter. I researched Security Council practice between 2010 and 2015, covering major disputes including the Libyan Civil War, the Syrian Civil War, the Korean Peninsula Incident, the Mali Crisis, and the Yemeni Civil War. I closely studied how the Security Council engages in dispute settlement when efforts at lower levels fail.
Beyond honing my research and writing skills, this course helped me understand the real-world application of international law in ways that no other law school course has achieved. It has strengthened both my academic foundation and my aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the field of international law in the future.
Samira Khafajian
Participating in the Documenting UN Practice seminar was an invaluable and intellectually enriching experience. Through the project, I had the opportunity to conduct in-depth legal research on the procedural functions of the UN’s principal organs, with a particular focus on Article 20 of the UN Charter. This research culminated in a contribution published on the official United Nations website, marking a proud milestone in my academic journey.
Working under the guidance of Professor Yengejeh, I developed a strong understanding of the structure, authority and meeting protocols of the UN General Assembly, including its special and emergency sessions. I was able to engage directly with primary UN documentation, sharpen my analytical skills, and contribute meaningfully to an ongoing effort to document the application of the Charter in practice.
Valentine PRIME
Participating in the “Documenting UN Practice” course has been a defining experience in my legal education. Working on Article 31 of the UN Charter allowed me to engage deeply in the legal and procedural framework of the United Nations and to explore how its principal organs interpret and apply the Charter in practice. Through extensive research and analysis of official UN documents, I developed a nuanced understanding of the organization’s inner workings and decision-making processes. This project significantly sharpened my legal research, critical thinking, and writing skills, while offering the unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the UN Repertory.