We are the experts in Article 36 legal review of new weapons, means and methods of warfare.
Our story
Who are we? Article 36 Legal is an Australian-based, internationally focused, veteran owned, legal consultancy specialising in international humanitarian law (IHL) and the legal review of new weapons under Article 36 of Additional Protocol I (AP1).
Founded in 2019 as International Weapons Review, Article 36 Legal offers plain language, practical advice on the application of IHL to the design and development of advanced technological weapons, command decision tools, and supporting systems.
Our Mission: To provide expert advice, training, and consulting services to the defence industry, states, and non-governmental organisations on the legal review of weapons, methods, and means of warfare, including systems that are autonomous or augmented by artificial intelligence.
Our philosophy: “Lawful by Design” reflects our commitment to promoting the responsible research and development of new weapons. We ensure that these technologies are compliant with international law standards from the very beginning. By blending practical experience with legal expertise, we help ensure that the development of new capabilities is truly lawful by design
What makes us different?
Unique Position: We are the only dedicated legal advisory firm providing tailored legal review services and IHL integration for the defence industry and state procurement agencies.
Exclusive Focus: We bridge the gap between the defence industry and state legal obligations during the design, development, and acquisition of military technologies.
Bridging Gaps: We act as a translator between engineers and lawyers, ensuring legal compliance is embedded during R&D, design, and acquisition, not just at the end.
Proactive Compliance: We leads the Lawful by Design initiative to promote voluntary and procedural mechanisms for IHL compliance in weapons development
Dr Damian Copeland, Director
Damian Copeland is a distinguished international law practitioner and a leading authority on the legal review of new and emerging weapon systems, with particular expertise in autonomous weapon systems (AWS). He is the author of A Functional Approach to the Legal Review of Autonomous Weapon Systems, a foundational work in the field that bridges legal principles with technological realities.
With decades of experience, Damian has advised on the legality of both conventional and advanced weapon technologies, offering strategic legal counsel to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) and national legal frameworks. His work supports the lawful and responsible development of military capabilities, ensuring that legal considerations are integrated from the earliest stages of system design through to deployment. Damian is widely recognised for his contributions to advancing legal and ethical standards in the context of rapidly evolving defence technologies.