Professor Ricky Lee

PhD LLM BA(IntSt)(Hons) LLB(Hons) GradDipCBL GDLP FCLA FANZCN FRSA FNSSA
Adjunct Professor

Email: Ricky.Lee@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    In addition to his role at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Ricky Lee is a Senior Research Associate of the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College, University of Cambridge; an Adjunct Professor of International Law at Nirma University, India; and the Principal Research Fellow at the North American Space Institute.

    Ricky obtained his LL.B. and B.A. at the University of Adelaide in 1999, followed by an LL.M. in International Law from the Australian National University in 2001 and a Ph.D. in International Law from Murdoch University in 2010 with a dissertation on “Creating a Practical Legal Framework for the Commercial Exploitation of Mineral Resources in Outer Space”.  He also has a Graduate Diploma in Chinese Business Law from the University of Western Australia.  He commenced lecturing at the University of Western Sydney in 2000 and has worked in legal practice since 1999, specialising in international business law and air and space law.

  • Teaching areas

    At the University of Notre Dame Australia, Ricky has taught Building & Construction Law; Civil Remedies; Commercial Drafting; International Business Law in Practice; Mediation, A.D.R., and Negotiation; Torts; and Trusts.

    Through his academic career, Ricky has taught Artificial Intelligence and the Law; Asian Laws & Cultures; European Union Law; Human Rights; Insolvency Law; International Business Transactions; Overseas Business Establishments; and Space Law.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    • Space Law
    • Public International Law
    • International Business Law
    • Trade Law
    • Private International Law
    • Editorial Board, Frontiers in Space Technologies (U.K.)
    • Editorial Board, Journal of Law and Artificial Intelligence (India)
    • Editorial Board, Journal of Law and Forensic Justice (India)

  • Books

    From 2009;

    • Ricky J. Lee, “Law and Regulation of Commercial Mining of Minerals in Outer Space” (The Hague, The Netherlands: Springer, 2012).
    • Ricky J. Lee and Michel Bourbonnière, “Legal Aspects of Military Activities and Applications in Space” (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, to be published in 2023).
    • Ricky J. Lee and Denis Leonov, “Doing Business in China under the Free Trade Agreement: Guide for Australian Business” (Sydney, Australia: LexisNexis, to be published in 2023).
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Law and Regulation of Commercial Mining of Minerals in Outer Space: Second Edition” (The Hague, The Netherlands: Springer, to be published in 2023).

  • Book chapters

    From 2009;

    • Ricky J. Lee, “Some Practical Proposals for Global Governance, Licensing, and Regulation of Mining Activities in Outer Space”, in Ram Jakhu, Kuan-Wei Chen, and Yaw Nyampong (eds.), “Monograph Series III: Global Space Governance” (Montréal, Canada: McGill Centre for Research on Air and Space Law, 2016), pp. 311-338.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Bills of Exchange, Cheques and Promissory Notes”, in John Graves and David Grace (eds.), “Digest of the Commercial Laws of the World — Australia” (2003), pp. 56-63.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “International Obligations of Emergency Assistance and Rescue Obligations for Commercial and Private Spacefarers in the Context of History, Present, and Future of Human Spaceflight”, in Maria A. Pozza (ed.), “Ascending to Outer Space: Foreign Policy Perspectives from New Zealand and Other Nations” (Singapore: Springer Nature, to be published in 2023).
    • Ricky J. Lee, “State Responsibility and Liability in Space Tourism”, in Sandeep Bhat (ed.), “Space Tourism and the Law” (London, England: Routledge, to be published in 2023).

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    From 2009;

    • Ricky J. Lee, “India and the Moon Agreement: Implications for the Utilisation of Space Resources in the 21st Century and Beyond” (2020) 60 Indian Journal of International Law 265-305.
    • Michel Bourbonnière and Ricky J. Lee, “Jus ad Bellum and Jus in Bello Considerations of the Targeting of Satellites: The Targeting of Post-Modern Military Space Assets” (2014) 45 Israel Yearbook on Human Rights 167-217.
    • Ricky J. Lee and Sarah L. Steele, “Models for Codifying International Rules for Jurisdiction, Liability, Safety and Accident Investigation for Commercial Passenger Spaceflight” (2014) 83 Nordic Journal of International Law 251-292.
    • Ricky J. Lee and Sarah L. Steele, “Military Use of Satellite Communications, Remote Sensing, and Global Positioning Systems in the War on Terror” (2014) 79 Journal of Air Law & Commerce 69-112.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Creating Enforcement Mechanisms for the 1976 Registration Convention as a Confidence Building Measure in the Military Use of Outer Space” (2009) 52 Proceedings of the Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space 115-122.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Current Status and Recent Developments in Australia’s National Space Law and its Relevance to Space Law and Space Activities in the Pacific Rim” (2009) 35 Journal of Space Law 471-509.

  • Conference papers

    From 2009;

    • Ricky J. Lee, “Authentication and Legalisation of Australian Notarial Acts in Commonwealth Jurisdictions: Special Relationships No Longer?” (2022) Notaries’ Society of South Australia Annual Seminar & Dinner, 1 September 2022, in Adelaide, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Future of Space Law and Policy” (2022) 14th International Seminar on Exploring New Frontiers in Space Law, Policy, and Property Rights, 20 August 2022, in Thiruvananthapuram, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Status of Private Spacefarers as Astronauts: Emergency Assistance and Rescue Obligations in International Law” (2022) 56th Otago Foreign Policy School, University of Otago, 1-3 July 2022, in Dunedin, New Zealand.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Status of Space Tourists as Astronauts, International Conference on Bridging the Spatial Divide: Problems and Prospects of Space Industrialisation” (2022) C.M.R. University School of Legal Studies, 26 March 2022, in Bengaluru, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Alternative Dispute Mechanisms and Disputes Concerning Outer Space” (2021) Workshop on Global Conflict and Dispute Resolution, Indraprastha University, 6-10 September 2021, in Delhi, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Adequacy of Domestic Space Legislation for Liability from Non-Launch Activities, International Conference on National Space Laws” (2021) West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, 26 February 2021, in Kolkata, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “The Moon Agreement and India: Implications for Commercial Utilisation of Space Resources” (2021) International Seminar on Privatisation of the Space Sector in India, Symbiosis Law School, 6 February 2021, in Hyderabad, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Challenges for Lawyers in the Privatisation of the Indian Space Sector” (2021) International Teaching Month Seminar, Nirma University – Institute of Law, 11 February 2021, in Ahmedabad, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Global Trade in Goods in and after COVID-19” (2020) Seminar at the Institute of Law, Nirma University, 30 June 2020, in Ahmedabad, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Recent Visits to the Clearly Inappropriate Forum” (2019) International Law Seminar, Law Society of South Australia, 3 October 2019, in Adelaide, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Commercial Risks of Dual-Use Satellites as Legitimate Targets in ASAT Strikes” (2019) International Bar Association Annual Conference, 23-27 September 2019, in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Use of Anti-Satellite Weapons under the Current State of International Law” (2019) Conference on Indian Perspectives on Space Security (Keynote Address), 17 July 2019, in New Delhi, India.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Demise of Bank Secrecy in the Modern World: Combating Tax Evasion and Money Laundering with (Perhaps) Unintended Consequences” (2019) Australia and New Zealand Society of International Law - International Economic Law Interest Group Workshop, 15 February 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Impact of Emerging Technologies in Litigation in Asia” (2018) International Litigation Legal Conference, 15-16 October 2018, in Singapore.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Space Resources Exploration, Exploitation, and Utilisation” (2018) First United Nations Conference on Space Law and Policy – Co-organised by the Government of the Russian Federation, 11-13 September 2018, in Moscow, Russian Federation.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “The Present and Future Practice of Space Law in Australia” (2018) Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 4 May 2018, in Sydney, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “The Purchase and Sale of Manufactured / Complex Assets” (2017) International Bar Association Annual Conference, 9-13 October 2017, in Sydney, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Enforcement of Australian Money Judgments Abroad: Examples of Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States” (2017) Law Society of South Australia Seminar, 27 September 2017, in Adelaide, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Sovereign Immunity and Cross-Border Transactions in the Asia-Pacific: Practical Considerations for Contract Clauses on Choice of Law, Choice of Forum, and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms” (2016) Queensland University of Technology Symposium on Transacting with the Asia-Pacific: Theory and Practice, 30 September 2016, in Brisbane, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Practical and Innovative Approaches to Regulating Space Activities” (2016) National University of Singapore: Centre for International Law Seminar Series, 23 June 2016, in Singapore.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Liability for Damage Caused on Earth and in Outer Space by Unmanned Aerial Systems” (2015) International Bar Association Annual Conference, 4-9 October 2015, in Vienna, Austria.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Avoiding Failure by Increments: Time for a Comprehensive Convention on Space Law” (2015) International Conference on New Challenges in Space Law – The Space Treaties at Crossroads: Considerations for de lege ferenda, 28-29 August 2015, in Athens, Greece.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Macro Liability Problems for Singaporean Microsatellites” (2015) National University of Singapore: Centre for International Law Seminar Series, 17 March 2015, in Singapore.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Some Practical Proposals for Global Governance in Licensing and Regulation of Mining Activities in Outer Space” (2014) 2nd McGill Institute of Air and Space Law Manfred Lachs Conference on Global Space Governance, 29-31 May 2014, in Montréal, Canada.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Preparing the Domestic Regulatory Frameworks in Australia and New Zealand for Commercial Passenger Spaceflight” (2014) 33rd Annual Conference of the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand, 7-9 May 2014, in Melbourne, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Space Law in Australia: Model for Others?” (2014) McGill Institute of Air and Space Law Workshop on Emerging Issues in Space Law, 7 May 2014, in Melbourne, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Space Law and Human Settlement on the Moon and Mars” (2014) Public Lecture to the Mars Society of Australia, 4 May 2014, in Adelaide, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Calderbank Offers, Offers of Compromise, and Without Prejudice Communications” (2014) Civil Courts Practice Refresher, Newcastle Law Society, 11 April 2014, in Newcastle, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Regulation of Space Launch Activities in the Dawn of Commercial Suborbital Spaceflight” (2013) 12th Australian Space Development Conference, 8-10 July 2013, in Adelaide, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Treaty Obligations and Domestic Regulation of Civil Aviation and Space Activities in Australia: Significant Differences and Harmonisation Opportunities” (2013) McGill Institute of Air and Space Law / I.C.A.O. / I.A.A.S.S. Manfred Lachs Conference on the Regulation of Emerging Modes of Aerospace Transportation, 24-25 May 2013, in Montréal, Canada.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Development of Domestic Laws and Regulations for Range Safety, Flight Safety, and Accident Investigation in the Era of Commercial Passenger Spaceflight” (2013) 6th I.A.A.S.S. Conference: Safety is Not an Option, 21-23 May 2013, in Montréal, Canada.
    • Ricky J. Lee and Umie Kong, “Sovereign Immunity: The Often-Neglected Risk in Multinational Business Transactions” (2012) 20th A.N.Z.S.I.L. Annual Conference, 5-7 July 2012 in Wellington, New Zealand.
    • Ricky J. Lee and Sasha M. Bellamy, “Legal Issues Relating to Military Use of Satellite Communications, Remote Sensing and Direct Television Broadcasting Systems against International Terrorism” (2011) Conference on Military Law in a New Dimension: Armed Forces Deployed against Transnational Crime and Terrorism, 26-28 August 2011 in Melbourne, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Balancing the Competing Interests to Resolve the Impasse over the Effects of the Common Heritage of Mankind Provision in the Moon Agreement” (2010) 53rd I.I.S.L. Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 61st International Astronautical Congress, 29 September 2010 – 1 October 2010 in Prague, Czech Republic.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Singapore’s International Obligations under the United Nations Space Treaties” (2010) National University of Singapore: Centre for International Law Seminar Series, 22 September 2010 in Singapore.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Commercial Implications of the Increasing Commercialisation of Present and Future Space Applications” (2010) 11th Australian Space Development Conference, 5-7 July 2010 in Adelaide, Australia.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “The Increasing Need for Australian Regulation of Remote Sensing Activities” (2010) Second Pacific Rim Meeting on Earth Observation, the Environment, Space and Remote Sensing Law in the Pacific Rim, 16-18 June 2010 in Honolulu, United States.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Regulating the Evolution from Space Tourism to Space Passenger Transportation and Space Traffic Management” (2010) Conference on the Recent Developments and Issues in Maritime and Transportation Law: An Asia-Pacific Perspective, 18-19 March 2010 in Hong Kong.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Creating Enforcement Mechanisms for the 1976 Registration Convention as a Confidence Building Measure in the Military Use of Outer Space” (2009) 52nd International Institute of Space Law Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 60th International Astronautical Congress, 12-16 October 2009 in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “The Need for International Coordination to Resolve Multiple Licensing Requirements in Domestic Laws for Private and Commercial Space Launches” (2009) Space Transportation Solutions and Innovations Symposium, 60th International Astronautical Congress, 12-16 October 2009 in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
    • Ricky J. Lee and Catherine Doldirina, “Legal and Policy Issues Arising from the Use of Nuclear and Radioisotopic Power Sources and Propulsion Systems in Outer Space” (2009) Space Propulsion Symposium, 60th International Astronautical Congress, 12-16 October 2009 in Daejeon, Korea.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “The Australian Senate’s 2008 Inquiry into the Current State of Australia’s Space Science and Industry Sector: A Critical Analysis in the Context of the Evolution of Australian Space Policy” (2009) 22nd Symposium on Space Policy, Regulations and Economics, 60th International Astronautical Congress, 12-16 October 2009 in Daejeon, Korea.
    • Ricky J. Lee, “Current Status and Recent Developments in Australia’s National Space Law and its Relevance to Space Law and Space Activities in the Pacific Rim” (2009) Pacific Rim National Space Law Summit, 19-21 May 2009, in Honolulu, United States of America.

  • Professional Affiliations

    • Chair, International Legal Practice Committee, Law Society of South Australia
    • Honorary Councillor, Notaries’ Society of South Australia
    • Fellow, Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce
    • Fellow, Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries
    • Fellow, Commercial Law Association of Australia
    • Fellow, International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety

  • Community engagement

    • Director, Global Sport for Humanity
    • Deputy Chair, Launch Adelaide Inc. & Innovation in the City Program

  • Awards

    • International Institute of Space Law, Distinguished Service Award (2005).