The Faculty of Law congratulates Paarth Tarachandani who graduated with his Master of Laws degree from the University of Manitoba on October 21, 2026. The Faculty of Law community at Robson Hall is pleased to shine a spotlight on his accomplishments and share a bit about him as we wish him all the best in his future career. Please meet Paarth Tarachandani:
What motivated you to pursue the LLM program at the University of Manitoba?
My motivation in choosing the LLM program at the University of Manitoba stemmed from my background in International law and my growing interest in the intersection of law, technology, and public policy. My undergraduate research focused on a general examination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in International Law. Additionally, my professional journey continued in the field of policy analysis in the North American region, mainly focused on technology policy. In this context, Robson Hall’s LLM Thesis stream presented a natural next step in my academic and professional development. I was also drawn to the program by the expertise and research interests of its faculty, whose work closely aligned with my academic goals and the direction I hoped to pursue. Having completed the course, I can confirm that I made the right choice.
What was your practicum placement or thesis title, and who was your advisor?
My LLM Thesis title was ‘The Autonomisation of Decision-Making: Autonomous Warfare, Legal Coding, and the Limits of International Humanitarian Law’. My advisors were Dr Mary Shariff and Dr Katie Szilagyi. I began exploring two recent conflicts (Russia-Ukraine and India-Pakistan) and the use of AI in both conflicts by all states. This research was further enhanced with recommendations from my advisors and professors and tailored to examine international law principles of proportionality and distinction in the two conflicts mentioned above. Through this work, I sought to examine how the increasing integration of AI into military decision-making challenges the application of established legal principles and raises important questions about the limits of international humanitarian law in the context of autonomous warfare.
What was your favourite part of studying in your program at the UM Faculty of Law?
My favourite part of studying at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law was the flexibility to choose courses that aligned with my interests and the autonomy I was given to pursue my research. This allowed me to tailor my academic experience to my goals while exploring areas of law that were particularly relevant to my interests. I also greatly appreciated the program’s emphasis on hands-on and practical learning, which was a new experience for me. These teaching methods encouraged me to engage more actively with course material, apply my knowledge to practical contexts, and make the most of classroom discussions.
What are your next steps after graduation?
I hope to continue my professional experience in policy analysis, with a greater focus on the international policy landscape. I aspire to contribute to meaningful policy work, ideally with organisations within the United Nations system or NGOs working in the field of international humanitarian law. Beyond my immediate professional goals, I am keen to continue my academic journey and pursue a PhD that allows me to deepen my research into autonomous warfare and the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and international humanitarian law.
