The Francis Lieber Prize is awarded annually by the American Society of International Law’s Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict to the authors of publications which the judges consider to be outstanding in the field of law and armed conflict.  Both monographs and articles (including chapters in books of essays) are eligible for consideration, as the prize is awarded to the best submission in each of these two categories.

Criteria: Any work in the English language published during 2013 or whose publication is in proof at the time of submission may be nominated for this prize.  The re-submission of works which have already been considered for this prize is not allowed.  Entries may address such topics as the use of force in international law, the conduct of hostilities during international and non‑international armed conflicts, protected persons and objects under the law of armed conflict, the law of weapons, operational law, rules of engagement, occupation law, peace operations, counter‑terrorist operations, and humanitarian assistance.  Other topics bearing on the application of international law during armed conflict or other military operations are also appropriate.

Age Limit: Competitors must be 35 years old or younger on 31 December 2013. They need not be members of the American Society of International Law.  Multi-authored works may be submitted if all the authors are eligible to enter the competition.  Should a multi-authored submission win the competition, the cash component of the prize shall be divided, pro rata, between the authors.  Submissions from outside the United States are welcomed.

Submission: Submissions, including a letter or message of nomination, must be received by 20 January 2014.  Three copies of books must be submitted.  The electronic submission of articles is encouraged.  Authors may submit their own work.  All submissions must include contact data (e‑mail, fax, phone, address).  The Prize Committee will acknowledge receipt of the submission by e‑mail. 

Printed submissions must be sent to:

Professor Iain Scobbie
School of Law, Williamson Building
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester  M13 9PL
United Kingdom

Electronic submissions must be sent to: iain.scobbie@manchester.ac.uk

Please indicate clearly in the subject line that the email concerns a submission for the Lieber Prize.

Prize:  The Selection Committee will select one submission for the award of the Francis Lieber Prize in the book category and one in the article category. The Prizes consist of $500, a certificate of recognition, and a year’s membership of the American Society of International Law.  The winner of the Lieber Prize in both categories will be announced at the American Society of International Law’s Annual Meeting in April 2014. 

In 2013, the winners were:

Dr Sandesh Sivakumaran, for his book, “The Law of Non-international Armed Conflict,” published by Oxford University Press.  

Lauren Groth, for her article, “Transforming Accountability: A Proposal for Reconsidering How Human Rights Obligations are Applied to Private Military Security Firms”, 35 Hastings International and Comparative Law Review 29 (2012).