1st Edition

Reimagining the International Legal Order

Edited By Vesselin Popovski, Ankit Malhotra Copyright 2024
    484 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    International law is usually conservative, with lawyers and judges emphasizing consistency, stability and predictability as the major advantages of the law. Legal scholars often prefer not to challenge the status quo, to suggest amendments, or to reform institutions, advocating simply to focus on the implementation of the laws that already exist. This collection stands different. It shares the authors’ discomfort with the present legal order and some of its institutions and courts, and dives into either a corrective or a profound reimagination of these, so that they can better address rising global challenges. Leading experts in their areas present their new and cutting-edge perspectives. Divided into six parts, the volume paints a vast yet solid thematic landscape of unique and critical approaches. The book invites and allows for a deep engagement with a wide range of opinions from across the world. It enables a free and courageous reimagining of the international legal order, detached from the endless feasibility skepticism. The work will be fascinating reading for students, academics and researchers working in the areas of International Law and International Relations.

    Acknowledgements

    List of contributors

    Preface
    Richard Falk
    Albert G. Milbank Professor of International Law and Practice, Emeritus at Princeton University

    Foreword
    Karim Khan, KC
    Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, The Hague

    Foreword
    Hillary Charlesworth
    Judge, International Court of Justice and Melbourne Laureate Professor, Melbourne Law School

    Foreword
    Claudio Grossman
    President Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, Member International Law Commission UN and Professor and Dean Emeritus, Washington College of Law, American University

    1. Introduction: Intelligence of a Future Day
    2. PART 1 - REIMAGINING INTERNATIONAL LAW

    3. Overcoming Disillusionment with International Law
    4. John Dugard

    5. Reimagining International Law: What Might Have Been, What Might Be
    6. Michael Wood 

    7. Change in International Law
    8. Arnold Pronto

    9. Fragmentation and Fertilisation of International Law
    10. Giuditta Cordero-Moss

    11. The Role of Private (International) Law in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
    12. Hans van Loon 

      PART 2 - REIMAGINING INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

    13. Does the United Nations Have a Future? If so, What May That Be?
    14. Malcolm Shaw

    15. The Role of the UN in the Codification and Progressive Development of International Law
    16. Attila Tanzi 

    17. Pluralism in International Organizations
    18. Ian Johnstone

    19. Multilateralism in the United Nations
    20. Raja Karthikeya 

    21. The Role of Public Diplomacy in the Modern World
    22. Alan Henrikson 

    23. Reimagining the United Nations Security Council
    24. Vesselin Popovski

    25. Reimagining the European Institutions
    26. Maria Stoicheva

      PART 3 - REIMAGINING COURTS AND TRIBUNALS 

    27. International Law in Indian Courts
    28. Gopal Subramanium 

    29. The Role of International Law in the United Kingdom 
    30. Peter Goldsmith 

    31. Plurality of International Legal Proceedings in an Era of Multiple Courts and Tribunals Laurence Boisson de Chazournes
    32. Pursuit of Domestic Remedies for Claims in International Law
    33. Vasuda Sinha

    34. Rethinking Humanitarian and Human Rights Institutions for Asia
    35. Sergey Sayapin

      PART 4 - REIMAGINING SPECIFIC JURISDICTIONS 

    36. Ecocide as an International Crime: Options and Choices
    37. Christina Voigt

    38. Public Interest in Investment Arbitration: The Rapid Ascent Of Human Rights, Labour Law and Environmental Law
    39. Monica Feria-Tinta 

    40. Re-visiting the Kulbhushan Jhadav Case: Due Process in International Law
    41. Harish Salve 

    42. Family Law: British and Indian Perspective
    43. William Longrigg & Anil Malhotra 

       PART 5 - RE-IMAGINING LAWS OF WAR 

    44. Ukraine: A Sunset or a New Dawn For International Law?
    45. Upendra Baxi

    46. Transformation of International Law through the Outlawry of War
    47. Oona Hathaway and Scott Shapiro

    48. From Legal Ambiguity and Strategic Clarity to Legal Clarity and Strategic Ambiguity
    49. Charles Sampford

    50. Sovereignty as Responsibility: Understanding the Legal Parameters of the Veto Power
    51. Jennifer Trahan 

      PART 6 - REMEMBERING TITANS OF LAW 

    52. In Memoriam: Judge James Crawford
    53. Freya Baetens

    54. In Memoriam: Judge Antônio Trindade
    55. Paula Almeida

    56. In Memoriam: Soli Sorabjee

    Ankit Malhotra

    Biography

    Vesselin Popovski is a Professor, Vice Dean of the Jindal Global Law School, Founding Executive Director of the Center for the Study of United Nations, and Honorary President of the Jindal Society of International Law at O.P. Jindal Global University in India. He is Research Professor, Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, National Recovery and Resilience Plan, project No BG-RRP-2.004-0008.

    Ankit Malhotra is the Co-Founder and President of the Jindal Society of International Law. He worked as a Research Assistant for the International Law Commission and for Senior Advocate Gopal Subramanium, former Solicitor General of India. He has graduated with Degrees in International Relations and Law (Gold Medallist) from O.P. Jindal Global University and LLM in International Law, as the Felix Scholar, from SOAS, UK.

    'The exercise of reimagination does not come naturally to international lawyers. Caught in the many constraints of their discourse, they often find themselves reimagining the already imagined. It is thus with great merit that the authors of this spectacular edited collection, under the leadership of Vesselin Popovski and Ankit Mallhotra, successfully turned the hurdles of the international legal discourse over their head to offer the reader the most ambitious imaginative reinterpretations of international law and international institutions. The result is not only rich and impressive, but also constitutive of an entirely new imaginative space for anyone eager to rethink what international law does to the world and how it does it.'

    Jean d’Aspermont, Professor of International Law, Sciences Po Law School and University of Manchester

     

    'In times of crisis it is normal to question the existing international law, which sometimes is even accused of ‘complicity’ with conduct that severely injures people or the environment. In doctrinal circles, the quest for originality leads to open-ended discussions about what international law really is, i.e., whether it is ‘law’, or ‘international’, or something else than a pure illusion. This collection is a contribution to these discussions not only at the general level, but also in key areas that are at the core of the international legal system, such as multilateralism and the UN, adjudicative bodies and - in a world in which the use of force is regrettably increasing - the law of armed conflict. Readers will find a wealth of ideas in this regard, although being invited to make their own reflections about international law and the manner to face the deep crisis in which the world is submerged today.'

    Marcelo Cohen, Professor of International Law, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva

     

    'One of the most significant recent publications on international law and international relations, this book will have a very long shelf life due to its breadth and holistic approach. It is stimulating and thought-provoking in analyzing almost all areas of international law from contemporary perspective. Most distinguished international lawyers share their in-depth, personal reflections on legal theories, humanitarian law, human rights law, environmental law, international organizations, international courts, and other areas.'

    Malgosia Fitzmaurice, Chair, Public International Law, Department of Law, Queen Mary University of London

     

    'This collection of essays on whether, how and to what end international law can or should be reimagined is a welcome addition to the debate, containing as it does contributions from a wide variety of standpoints.'

    Sir Christopher Greenwood, GBE, CMG, KC, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge

     

    'The UN Secretary General has recently raised the alarm that we face a stark choice between breakdown or breakthrough. The international legal order and its further evolution is the key vital tool in our shared efforts to rise to the occasion at this historic crossroad and to push forward towards the next generation of international legal practice and institutional arrangements. This volume is a valuable contribution to this crucial conversation.' 

    Maja Groff, Senior Treaty Advisor at Integrity Initiatives International, Convenor, Climate Governance Commission

     

    'The existing legal, normative and institutional apparatus designed to manage collective global challenges is under severe stress in a changing international order. This excellent collection, situated at the interface between International Law and International Relations, explores the precarious state of the 'rules-based order' and provides genuinely innovative, fresh thinking and forward-looking solutions. It is highly recommended!'

    Edward Newman, Head of the Graduate School, Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor of International Security, School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

     

    'Can international law be reimagined? Should it? Should it perhaps be first imagined? And can one imagine an international society without international law? Those reflecting on these hard questions will be greatly assisted in their intellectual journey by the stellar contributions ably collected and edited in this volume.'

    Martins Paparinskis, Professor of Public International Law at University College London and Member designate of the International Law Commission

     

    'It is always exciting to reimagine one’s professional framework. If this is done by such an excellent group of writers, like in this book, it also provides deep thought provocations.'

    August Reinisch, Professor of International and European Law, University of Vienna

     

    'Popovski and Malhotra have brought together a rich array of perspectives on reimagining international law. Expertly edited chapters open up new vistas on the field.'

    Gerry Simpson, Chair in Public International Law at the LSE and Fellow of the British Academy

     

    'A hugely important book for all those asking whether international law is still fit for purpose.'

    Samuel Wordsworth KC, Arbitrator/Counsel at Essex Court Chambers

     

    'A tour de force, bringing together who’s who in international law, answering the central question where is international law going and whether it will be capable of addressing the myriad of challenges facing the world. The editors invite to think whether international law can do better and chart a path towards a brave new world. The themes reflect everything that has occupied international lawyers in modern times, including conceptual questions concerning deficiencies in the system and the law-making. With failures of the collective security system, it is certainly timely to ponder about the role, place and future of international organizations, this ‘heartbeat’ of modern international law. While one might have expected a spotlight on international courts, it is domestic courts that are also given pride in the book, given that much adjudication of international law takes place in domestic courts in large part because of the lack of a compulsory system of adjudication in international law. A most timely book which I definitely recommend.'

    Dire Tladi, Professor of International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria

     

    'Truly worthwhile reading, particularly in the current situation where the validity of important international legal norms seems to be increasingly questioned, if not at all disregarded. It should thus also be taken to heart by policy makers all over the globe. Vesselin Popovski and Ankit Malhotra edited a substantial number of contributions by most eminent jurists from different geographical regions, covering diverse areas of public and private international law in a highly thoughtful manner. They not only outline the present situation in the respective fields of law but set forth innovative ideas as to how the international legal order could be improved to overcome existing deficiencies, to better cope with current challenges, as well as with those that may arise in the future.'

    Helmut Tuerk, Judge Emeritus, Former Vice-President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea