Ricky Lee at the United Nations

New York, United States

Researcher. Academic. Lecturer. Advisor. Writer. Traveller.

Ricky J. Lee has been recognised as a leading expert in space law and international business law. He has published over 200 books, chapters, articles, papers, and presentations on various aspects of space law, international law, and commercial law.  A frequent conference speaker, he was a speaker at the 2018 United Nations Conference on Space Law and Policy, the 2002 and 2003 U.N. Workshops on Capacity Building in Space Law, along with conferences of the International Bar Association, the International Astronautical Federation, the International Astronomical Union, the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, and LAWASIA.

Since 1999, Ricky has lectured on various topics of space law, public international law, international business law, equity, trusts, public and administrative law, and commercial law at universities in Australia, India, and around the world.  He was the founder and organiser (2000-2010) of the Asia Pacific Regional Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, and has coached, mentored, and judged in 20+ different international and regional mooting competitions, including the Jessup and the Vis Moots.

For over 2 decades, Ricky worked in international legal practices, in which he specialised in the space industry, technology startups, medical and healthcare sectors, cross-border mercantile trade, investments, and disputes.  In those years, he advised and acted for launch operators, satellite operators, multinational businesses, technology startups, regulatory agencies, and government entities around the world.

Ricky divides his time between Aotearoa / New Zealand, Australia, England, and India.

Current Roles

  • Senior Lecturer in Law | University of Canterbury, New Zealand

  • Adjunct Professor of Law | University of Notre Dame Australia

  • Adjunct Professor of International Law | Nirma University, India

  • Executive Director | International Academy of Space Law & Policy

  • Director of Studies & Councillor | Notaries’ Society of South Australia

  • Guest Editor | Frontiers in Space Technologies

  • Editor | Protocol: Newsletter of the Notaries’ Society of South Australia

  • Editorial Board Member | NFSU Journal of Law and Artificial Intelligence

  • Scientific Board Member | Global Affairs: Law & Security Perspectives

Perth, Australia

Education      

  • 2010: Ph.D. in International Law | Murdoch University, Perth

  • 2001: LL.M. in International Law | Australian National University, Canberra

  • 1999: B.A.(Int.St.)(Hons.) | University of Adelaide

  • 1999: LL.B.(Hons.) | University of Adelaide

     

  • 2015: Grad.Dip. in Chinese Business Law | University of Western Australia, Perth

  • 2001: Grad.Dip. in Legal Practice | College of Law, Sydney

     

Admissions

  • 2017: Barrister and Solicitor | High Court of New Zealand

  • 2009: Notary Public | Supreme Court of New South Wales

  • 2001: Barrister and Solicitor | High Court and Federal Court of Australia

  • 2001: Barrister and Solicitor | Supreme Court of South Australia

  • 2001: Legal Practitioner | Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory

Professional Memberships      

  • Fellow | Royal Society of the Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce [FRSA]

  • Fellow | Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries [FANZCN]

  • Fellow | Commercial Law Association of Australia [FCLA]

  • Fellow | International Academy of Space Law and Policy [FIASLP]

  • Fellow | International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety [FIAASS]

  • Fellow & Honorary Member | Notaries’ Society of South Australia [FNSSA]

     

  • 2002 Diederiks-Verschoor Medal | International Institute of Space Law

  • 2005 Distinguished Service Award | International Institute of Space Law

  • Member, Forum for Air & Space Law | American Bar Association

  • Member | Australasian Law Academics Association

  • Member | Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law

  • Member | Australian Institute of International Affairs

  • Member | Commonwealth Lawyers Association

  • Member | International Bar Association

  • Member, Section on International Law | Law Council of Australia

  • Member | LAWASIA: The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific

  • Member | UNCITRAL National Coordination Committee for Australia

Fukuoka, Japan

Adelaide, Australia

Not-So-Professional Memberships

  • Director | Global Sport for Humanity

  • Member | Australian Davis Cup Tennis Foundation

  • Member | Centre for Independent Studies

  • Member | International Churchill Society

  • Member | Travellers Century Club