Mr David Meltzer

I joined CCCU in 2012, first as part-time, then full time.  

I was always going to be an academic - doing so in Law follows having been a lecturer in War Studies, specializing in Military History.  Besides an LLB I have a BA (Hons) in History and an MA in War and Strategic Studies.  

This background has coloured my approach to Law, which I have always seen in practical terms, besides having been schooled in a Critical approach to law - to ask, not only what is the law? but also, what should the law be?  This all has led to a leaning towards the 'warm and fuzzy' areas of law, such as Constitutional Law and Human Rights.  

My personal background, coming from Africa and being aware of the challenges that pass for day-to-day life in the 3rd World, as well as a mercifully brief stint as a conscripted soldier, has influenced my views on rationality, humane approaches and the view of law in context of actual life.  My research interests are in the Laws of War and the theory of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.  

At CCCU I take particular pleasure in being fully involved with all Foundation Year Law students and at the other end in encouraging individual research and expression in the 3rd year in Human Rights.

I also am active as a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and with marketing the School to potential students, for which I have developed, and am looking to improve several games on legal thinking.

I have taught at several levels during my life, including in a range of secondary schools to GCSE level, and at universities in War Studies and in Law.  

Besides the modules listed above, I have also taught Research Methods and Thinking at post-graduate level, the Philosophy of Law, Equity and Trusts, the English Legal System, Constitutional Law, Law in Society and Jurisprudence., as well as supervising individual UG Dissertations.

I am currently working on the Law of War and more general philosophical issues, notably where state authority comes from.  

I have published on the Rule of Law in the Channel Islands under the German Occupation and on Terrorism and the Law After 9/11, in particular.