Dr Dominic Osita Okoli

Teaching

My teaching experience spans undergraduate and postgraduate law modules, with a particular focus on public international law, space law, and legal theory. I have taught law at Regent College London and Kingston University London, where I contributed to curriculum development, seminar delivery, and assessment design.

At Kingston University, I delivered modules in both international and commercial law. I facilitated seminars, provided academic support to students, and assisted in marking and feedback processes. This role allowed me to work closely with diverse student cohorts and hone my ability to communicate complex legal concepts in accessible ways.

At Regent College London, I have lectured in core legal subjects, including contract law, Equity and Trusts Law, Mooting and Interviewing, Practical Legal Skills, and public law, engaging students through interactive teaching methods and a research-informed approach. I consistently aim to foster critical thinking and analytical skills in the classroom, drawing on current legal developments and case studies to enrich learning.

My teaching philosophy is grounded in creating an inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment, encouraging students to connect legal principles to real-world applications. I integrate emerging legal issues into my teaching to ensure students are prepared for the evolving demands of the legal profession.

Research

My research activities are primarily focused on the intersection of space law, international law, and emerging technologies. I am particularly interested in how international legal frameworks can evolve to address the challenges of outer space governance in an era marked by rapid technological advancement. My doctoral research at Kingston University London explored these themes in depth, culminating in a thesis titled “Between Vertical Frontiers: Exploring Customary International Law for a Common Legal Delimitation of Outer Space.” This project examined the historical, legal, and technological dimensions of the unresolved boundary between airspace and outer space, with a view to proposing customary legal approaches toward a universally accepted delimitation.

Building on this work, I have continued to investigate legal developments surrounding aerospace innovation and the implications of advanced technologies—such as satellite constellations, space tourism, and blockchain-based space operations—on existing international legal norms. My recent co-authored article, “Dynamics of Aerospace Technologies and the Legal Delimitation of Outer Space,” published in the Air and Space Law Journal (2025), reflects my commitment to interdisciplinary and forward-looking legal scholarship.

Beyond space law, I maintain a broader research interest in international security, commercial law, and the role of law in governing innovation. I am also engaged in research that examines legal education practices and the development of critical legal thinking in higher education settings.

Through academic collaboration, publication, supervision and conference participation, I aim to contribute to the evolving discourse on global space governance, promote legal certainty in space-related activities, and support the formulation of equitable and sustainable legal regimes for the future of humanity beyond Earth.

Publications and Conferences

List of selected publications and presentations

1. Damian Bielicki and Dominic Okoli, ‘Legal Aspects of Space Tourism’ in Zhao Y. (ed), Space Privatisation, Sustainability and the Development of Space Law and Policy –An Asian Perspective (forthcoming: 2025) 
2. Dominic Okoli and Ogechukwu Nwankwo, ‘Dynamics of Aerospace Technologies and the Legal Delimitation of Outer Space’ (2025) 50(3) Air & Space Law Journal. 
3. Dominic Okoli, ‘The Scramble for Space Resources: Reimagining the Non-Appropriation Principle Through Soft Law for Effective Space Resources Governance’ (forthcoming: 2025) 
4. Dominic Okoli, ‘The Conflicting Relationship between Intellectual Property Law and the (European) Competition Law: A Review of Their Goals Through the Decisions of the General Court and the CJEU.’ (Academia, 2016). 
5. Dominic Okoli, Between Vertical Frontiers: Exploring Customary International Law for a Common Legal Delimitation of Outer Space (Doctoral dissertation, forthcoming book). 
6. Dominic Okoli, ‘A Critical Examination of the Efficacy of the OECD-endorsed UK’s Principle-based Corporate Governance Regime in Ensuring Good Corporate Governance.’ (Academia: 2016) 
7. D. Okoli, ‘The Significance of the Court of Justice of the European Union’s Judgments in the Italian Arts, Geddo and Cassis De Dijon on the Development of Free Movement of Goods Law.’ (Academia: 2016). 
8. Dominic Okoli and Somto Ojukwu, 'A Critical Appraisal on the Right to Self-Determination under International Law' (2021) 12(1) Nnamdi Azikiwe University J. of International Law & Jurisprudence 127.  

Selected Conferences and Presentations: 

1. Presented at the London South Bank University’s (LSBU) Conference on 4th July 2024.Title of Presentation: ‘Exploring CIL for a Common Legal Delimitation of Outer Space’ 
2. Presented at Kingston University’s FBSS Conference on 30th June 2023: Title of Presentation: ‘The Necessities, Challenges, and Prospects of Using Customary International Law to Delimit Outer Space.’ 
3. Presented two papers at Kingston University’s FBSS Conference on 21st  June 2024:  
4. ‘Exploring Customary International Law for a Common Delimitation of Outer Space’ and 
5. ‘Niger Republic's Closure of Airspace to Nigeria-bound Flights: Investigating Altitude Limitations under Customary International Law 
6.  Presented at the British International Studies Association’s (BISA) historic 50th anniversary conference held in Belfast, 19th June 2025. Title of Paper: "Utilising Space Resources in Tackling Insecurity in Africa: Challenges and Prospects". 

Personal activities

My professional activities span a blend of legal practice, academic instruction, and cross-sector engagement in international law, international commercial law and space law. Over the years, I have balanced teaching responsibilities with legal consultancy, contributing to legal education while remaining actively involved in developments within both public and private sectors. I regularly engage in academic and professional forums, presenting research and participating in dialogue on legal and policy issues surrounding aerospace technologies, international regulation, and innovation governance.

I have contributed to curriculum development, supervised student research, and collaborated with colleagues on interdisciplinary projects that bridge law, technology, and policy. Beyond the classroom, I have maintained a consistent presence in legal practice, advising on matters ranging from commercial transactions to regulatory compliance in international contexts.

My work often involves international collaboration and participation in policy-shaping initiatives through memberships in professional bodies and global networks. I seek to integrate current legal scholarship with emerging real-world challenges—particularly those involving space governance and the implications of cutting-edge technologies for international legal systems.