Marxsen: Shades of Illegality in the Law Against War

Christian Marxsen (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) has published Shades of Illegality in the Law Against War (Oxford Univ. Press 2026). Here's the abstract:

The prohibition of force is a cornerstone of the international legal order. Yet, frequent violations raise pressing questions about the resilience of the law. This monograph investigates the complex realities behind these breaches in international law, to facilitate a deeper understanding of how disputes over norms governing the prohibition of the use of force shape-and sometimes strain-the legal order.

Introducing the concept of “shades of illegality,” this book develops a typology of illegality that distinguishes between the different forms of illegality and their specific effects on international legal norms and the international legal order in general. These six types of illegality include contested applications of agreed law, emergency-driven violations, and deliberate challenges aimed at reshaping legal norms. By unpacking these categories, the book reveals how different types of illegality exert varied effects on the stability and evolution of international legal frameworks.

Shades of Illegality in the Law Against War argues that conflicts over the application and interpretation, formulation, and further development of the law are not pathological, and that illegality can even play a constructive role in the overall functioning of the international order. However, it also warns of the corrosive impact of systemic opposition-where states seek to dismantle core legal principles such as jus contra bellum. Providing nuanced analysis from both a doctrinal and theoretical perspective, this book equips readers with the conceptual tools needed to clarify the role of illegality in the international order and to critically assess the state of the prohibition of force in international law.

Call for Papers: Annual Postgraduate Conference in International Law and Human Rights

The International Law and Human Rights Unit of the University of Liverpool's School of Law and Social Justice has issued a call for papers for its Annual Postgraduate Conference in International Law and Human Rights, to take palce June 15-16, 2026, in Liverpool. The theme is: "The Future of the International Legal Order." The call is here.

New Issue: International Criminal Law Review

The latest issue of the International Criminal Law Review (Vol. 26, no. 1, 2026) is out. Contents include:

• Mark A. Drumbl & C. William Vardy, The Lives of Fritz Haber and of International Law: Entwined Tales of Tragedy and Irony
• Natalie Hodgson, An Emerging Challenge for International Criminal Justice: Legitimacy, Pseudolaw, and the International Criminal Court
• Marina Lostal, Till the Rules of Procedure and Evidence Do Us Part: Should Deceased Persons Be Admitted as Victims before the ICC?
• Aaron Rajesh, Diplomatic Impunity: A Renewed Case for Universal Jurisdiction
• Hien Thi Thu Tran & Tuan Van Vu, Some Reflections on Pre-trial Detention: Contrasting Vietnamese Legal Provisions with Established International Instruments

Serdy & Lalonde: Research Handbook on the Law of the Sea

Andrew Serdy (Univ. of Southampton) & Suzanne Lalonde (Univ. of Montreal) have published Research Handbook on the Law of the Sea (Edward Elgar Publishing 2026). Here's the abstract:

In light of the challenges facing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its implementing agreements, this Research Handbook explores how issues including climate change, technological developments and increasing geopolitical instability threaten our seas.

Contributing authors undertake a comprehensive examination of the foundational regimes outlined in the law of the sea, from traditional rules such as the freedom of navigation on the high seas, to emerging developments such as the issue of unmanned ships. Chapters cover key themes, namely the spatial and substantive limits of maritime zones, the new challenges in navigating the high seas regime, the legal regime for the seabed, emerging issues and litigating the law of the sea. Addressing 19 distinct challenges, both classic and contemporary, this Research Handbook debates whether the existing laws of the sea are still relevant and effective, or whether they require adaptation and revision.

Besson & Achermann: International Cooperation under the Human Right to Science

Samantha Besson (Collège de France) & Katja Achermann (Univ. of Fribourg) have published International Cooperation under the Human Right to Science (Edward Elgar Publishing 2026). This book is available open access here. Here's the abstract:

This book explores the importance of international cooperation in realising the ‘human right to science’ as enshrined in Article 15(1)(b) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The need to reawaken this right has been acknowledged in recent scholarship. However, the role of international scientific cooperation for the effective realisation of the right has been, to date, overlooked.

International scientific cooperation is not only a core element of the human right to science, as recognised explicitly by Article 15(4) ICESCR, but also a concern in many other regimes of international law, such as climate change, biodiversity, AI or health law. In this book, experts in international human rights law explore the grounds, subjects, objects and the contents of the duty and responsibility of international cooperation under the human right to science. Chapters address a variety of issues ranging from the universality of science and respect for local knowledge, scientific sovereignty and self-determination, and the equitable access to and sharing of scientific benefits.

New Issue: Archiv des Völkerrechts

The latest issue of Archiv des Völkerrechts (Vol. 63, no. 3, 2025) is out. Contents include:

• Articles
• Felix Lange, Zweierlei Kriegseinhegung durch Recht
• Andreas Th. Müller & Hanna Siebenrock, The Place of Espionage in International Law
• Florian Manecke & Kai Ambos, Deutscher Umgang mit Produkten aus israelischen Siedlungen in Palästina: Mit zweierlei Maß?
• Peter Hilpold, “Civis europeus, civis solidaris sum”

ASIL: Proceedings of the 119th Annual Meeting

The Proceedings of the 119th Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law (2025), edited by Susan Franck (Ameircan Univ.), Belén Ibañez (Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP), and Nawi Ukabiala (Debevoise & Plimpton LLP), is now available. The table of contents is here.