scholarly journals The Theory and Practice of Precedent in International Adjudication: A View from Ukraine

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 48-61
Keyword(s):  
Theory And Practice ◽  
International Courts ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
European Court ◽  
International Court ◽  
The Law ◽  
International Adjudication ◽  
Legal Pragmatism ◽  
Legal Force

This article argues that legal pragmatism and realism are the methodological basis for considering the law-making function of international courts. Classical scientific approaches, the representatives of which view courts only as applicators of the law, do not allow research into the nature and role of international adjudicative bodies. Since there are several positions on the nature, content, and legal force of the precedent decisions of international adjudicative bodies (the are both diametrically opposed and, to some extent, similar), the author takes a position that considers the characteristics of modern international relations. The author proposes to classify international judicial precedents by considering the construction of judicial institutions and the legal force of decisions because these criteria reflect the nature and significance of such decisions. The classification divides precedents into vertical and horizontal (persuasive). The author argues that vertical precedent set by a particular body of international justice can be absolute, i.e., a structurally lower judicial body can, under no circumstances and exceptions, make a decision without taking into account the legal conclusions made by the higher judicial body. Vertical international judicial precedent may also be relative, i.e., in certain circumstances, a higher judicial body may make a different decision in a similar case, which suggests no obligation to be bound by its own previous decisions. Analysis of the decisions of many international courts has led to the conclusion that international courts create judicial precedents of persuasive content. In particular, the author uses decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) that contain citations of the Court’s own legal positions and the International Court of Justice’s legal positions. It is proved that the so-called horizontal precedent is a persuasive precedent, the content of the legal provisions of which is based on the authority of the cited international court’s decisions. Thus, international judicial precedent not only exists but must be recognised legally because only the formal enshrinement of the legal force of such decisions will lead to the recognition of judicial precedent as a formal source of international law.

6. The Practical Working of the Law of Treaties

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgosia Fitzmaurice
Keyword(s):  
Case Law ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Legal Obligation ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
International Courts ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
International Court ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Law

This chapter examines key structural questions and fundamental problems relating to the law of treaties. These structural matters include: the concept of a treaty; the anatomy of treaties (including the making of treaties; authority to conclude treaties; expression of consent to be bound; invalidity of treaties (non-absolute grounds for invalidity of treaties, absolute grounds for invalidity of treaties, amendment, and modification); suspension and termination). The key issues addressed include the scope of legal obligation (the principle pacta sunt servanda, treaties, and third States); interpretation and reservation to treaties (including interpretative declarations); and finally, problems concerning the grounds for termination (supervening impossibility and material breach). The chapter also considers the theory and practice of the law of treaties, with broad analysis of the case law of various international courts and tribunals, with special emphasis on jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice.

A Moving Target

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippa Webb
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Moving Target ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
European Court ◽  
International Court ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Right ◽  
International Law Commission ◽  
Right Of Access ◽  
National Practice

The last 50 years have seen significant changes in the law of immunity. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has, over the past 15 years in particular, played an influential role in the law applicable to this ‘moving target’. This chapter examines three approaches of the ECtHR to the identification of general international law: (i) the ECtHR looking to the International Court of Justice; (ii) the ECtHR looking to national practice; and (iii) the ECtHR looking to the work of the International Law Commission and the provisional application of treaties. Although the ECtHR strives to locate itself within general international law, it necessarily approaches the immunities of States, officials, and international organizations through the lens of Article 6 ECHR and whether the immunity in question constitutes a legitimate and proportionate restriction on the right of access to court. This has, at times, taken the Court down a different path to other judicial bodies and we can identify the emergence of a ‘European approach’ to the role of immunity in employment disputes.

Crimea in International Courts and Tribunals: Matters of Jurisdiction

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 378-403
Author(s):  
Gaiane Nuridzhanian
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
Territorial Integrity ◽  
International Courts ◽  
Preliminary Examination ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
European Court ◽  
International Court ◽  
Inter State

The events taking place in Crimea since early 2014 have given rise to a number of international disputes currently pending before international courts and tribunals. Ukraine instituted inter-State proceedings against Russia before the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights and an unclos Annex vii Tribunal. Seven investor-State cases have been commenced against Russia. The Prosecutor of the icc is conducting preliminary examination into the crimes allegedly committed in Crimea in 2014 and afterwards. Foreign courts have also had to deal with cases related to the annexation of Crimea. This article provides an overview of cases pending before international courts and tribunals in relation to events in Crimea. The focus is on the questions related to jurisdiction of the international courts and tribunals seized in Crimea-related cases. The study explores the limits of the jurisdiction of international courts to adjudicate disputes concerning the interpretation and application of a treaty arising in connection with a larger dispute regarding the use of force, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The article also discusses novel and debated jurisdiction-related matters that arise in cases brought in relation to events in Crimea. A brief description of cases heard in foreign courts is provided as well.

The gypsy’s lot: myth and reality

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jago
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
European Court ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter focuses on the lived experiences of gypsies (collectively referred to as gypsies rather than Roma or travellers). The author argues that the relationship between the legal system and the specific lifestyle of this group is itself causing many tensions which cannot be separated from the long-held myths about gypsies. Jago shows how the standing of gypsies in the UK legal system has, in turn, become the object of various myths. He demonstrates how judgements by the European Court of Human Rights in favour of gypsy claims created in many an image of the law being always on the side of the gypsy. A perception which Jago demonstrates is far from true. After addressing the nature and role of myths in general the author illustrates the tension between positive, romanticised myths about the freedom of gypsy lifestyle and three derogatory myths, namely gypsies as "child-snatchers", as thieves and as "land grabbers". Jago illustrates that these myths are linked to deep-rooted beliefs around property and its ownership.

Systemic Challenges and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
pp. 305-346
Author(s):  
Caroline E. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Legal Status ◽  
The Public ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
Regulatory Standards ◽  
International Court ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
International Legal System ◽  
International Adjudication ◽  
Private Actors

Chapter Ten continues Chapter Nine’s analysis of the systemic questions raised by the emergence of global regulatory standards. Regulatory standards reflect and feed into the contemporary metamorphosis of sovereignty. Their design and employment will require consistent efforts to ensure that international law remains an integrated rather than a fragmented body of law, where economic, social and environmental rules and principles are all applied together. The legal status of private actors within the public international legal system is heavily implicated in the development of regulatory standards and caution is needed in the elaboration of global regulatory standards in order to avoid unwitting concessions. International adjudication is not ‘judicial review’ and global regulatory standards do not constitute ‘standards of review’ separate and distinct from the legal provisions being applied by an international court or tribunal. Care is needed, particularly when contemplating proportionality tests: reliance on the due regard standard is preferable for the present.

scholarly journals Children’s Privacy: The Role of Parental Control and Consent

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Gligorijević
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Parental Control ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Privacy Rights ◽  
Informational Privacy ◽  
European Court ◽  
The Law

Abstract Protecting children’s informational privacy has never been more difficult. To what extent does it depend upon parental control and consent, and how is this factor incorporated into the law seeking to protect children’s informational privacy? This article addresses these questions, considering the relevant jurisprudence of the English courts, in particular under the tort of misuse of private information, and the relevant jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In this article I argue that the relevant jurisprudence in both jurisdictions reveals a doctrine that prioritises parental control and consent, above the harm of intrusion to the child. This risks laying a legal terrain that does not accommodate the protection and vindication of children’s informational privacy rights when they conflict with the wishes of, or are not actively protected by, that child’s parents.

Domestic Courts as Agents of Development of International Immunity Rules

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROSANNE VAN ALEBEEK
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Court Decisions ◽  
Domestic Court ◽  
International Courts ◽  
International Court ◽  
Domestic Courts ◽  
To Come

AbstractThis paper explores the role of domestic courts in the development of international immunity rules. It assesses how domestic immunity decisions take meaning in the process of law formation and law determination, and examines whether the distinct influence of domestic-court decisions (as compared to international-court decisions) in that process results in a different role, and concomitant different rules, in the process of interpretation of rules of international law. The paper argues that while domestic courts are as a matter of international law bound by the same rules of interpretation as international courts, they are particularly well placed to address access to court concerns raised by immunity rules and may play a prominent role in the development of international law in this field in the years to come.

Commentary: The International Court of Justice and the Adjudication of Territorial and Boundary Disputes

2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 873-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.G. Merrills
Keyword(s):  
Major Part ◽  
Political Context ◽  
The Political ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
Boundary Disputes ◽  
International Court ◽  
The Law ◽  
International Adjudication

Territorial and boundary disputes provide a major part of the work of the International Court. The author considers how cases of this kind come to the Court and the issues of jurisdiction and justiciability they represent; explains how, when the Court decides such cases, it establishes the facts and applies the law; and, finally, discusses the question of implementation and the factors which determine the effectiveness of judgments. He concludes that in territorial and boundary cases, as elsewhere, the Court's decisions serve both to resolve specific disputes and to develop the law, while also highlighting the political context of international adjudication.

scholarly journals Specyfika odpowiedzialności za naruszenia Europejskiej Konwencji Praw Człowieka związane z działalnością nieuznawanych reżimów – analiza orzecznictwa

2020 ◽  
pp. 27-66
Author(s):  
Szymon Zaręba
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Criminal Tribunal ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
International Courts ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
European Court ◽  
International Court ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
International Responsibility

The aim of the article is to compare the way in which the issue of responsibility for violations related to the acts of unrecognized authorities claiming to be States is treated by the European Court of Human Rights and other international courts, particularly the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The article considers in detail the relations between jurisdiction and responsibility, responsibility of parent States (including the concept of “positive obligations”) and responsibility of States which provide assistance to unrecognized regimes (with emphasis put on the concept of “effective control”). The results of the study indicate that the jurisprudence of the European Court differs in several important aspects from decisions of other international courts. These differences, while undoubtedly enhancing the protection of human rights in Europe, contribute to the process of fragmentation of the law of international responsibility.

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