Sunday, February 22, 2026

Vidigal: Adjudicating over Anarchy: Judicial Remedies, Compliance, and Enforcement in International Law

Geraldo Vidigal
(Univ. of Amsterdam) has published Adjudicating over Anarchy: Judicial Remedies, Compliance, and Enforcement in International Law (Cambridge Univ. Press 2026). Here's the abstract:
Geraldo Vidigal thoroughly examines the judicial powers of international courts and tribunals and how these powers are used in practice. Without access to state-backed enforcement measures, international adjudicators must rely on their authority to influence real-world outcomes. The book reviews, and offers a comprehensive theory for, the various social mechanisms that explain why and how international judicial pronouncements affect the behaviour of states, influencing the views of individuals within states as well as changing states' mutual expectations of cooperative and sanction-worthy behaviour. The book considers how judicial remedies can induce compliance by targeting specific areas of disagreement, interpreting obligations, declaring violations, and establishing how wrongdoer states must offset unlawful injury. An often untapped type of remedy relies on the ability of courts to determine permissible responses to breach: what measures other actors may take to respond to violations, compelling wrongdoers to comply with their obligations and provide redress for injury.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

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.

Friday, February 20, 2026

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

Thursday, February 19, 2026

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.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

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.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

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.

Friday, February 13, 2026

New Issue: Melbourne Journal of International Law

The latest issue of the Melbourne Journal of International Law (Vol. 26, no. 1, 2025) is out. Contents include:
  • Dominic Bielby, An Analysis of the Potential Jurisdiction of an International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in the Russo-Ukrainian War
  • Başak Çali & Laurence R Helfer, Rethinking Human Rights Treaty Withdrawals: A Process-Based Approach
  • Peter G Danchin, Jeremy Farrall, Jolyon Ford, Shruti Rana & Imogen Saunders, Reconceiving Engagement with International Law and Institutions in a Populist Era
  • François Delerue, States’ Discourse on Third-Party and Collective Countermeasures in Cyberspace: An Evolution of Opinio Juris on Countermeasures
  • Keri van Douwen, ‘What’s A Guideline Anyway?’, Or Rather: The Function of ‘Form’ in the Work of the International Law Commission

Thursday, February 12, 2026

New Issue: Global Constitutionalism

The latest issue of Global Constitutionalism (Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2026) is out. Contents include:
  • Editorial
    • Jared Holley, Antje Wiener, Andrea Birdsall, Stephanie Law, Susan Kang, & Jo Shaw, Global constitutionalism and/as enlightenment
  • Articles
    • Mark Friedman & Anthony Sangiuliano, Proportionality and precaution
    • Catherine Hecht, Dynamics of salient normative status dimensions and issues in a changing international order
    • Kinfe Yilma, Reimagining digital constitutionalism
    • Carmen E. Pavel, The ethics of state consent to international law
    • Francisco Soto Barrientos, Orestes Suárez, & Benjamín Alemparte, The Citizen Initiative in Chile’s constitution-making (2021–2023): Lessons from a participatory and digital mechanism in comparative perspective
  • Agora: From survival cannibalism to climate politics: Rethinking Regina vs Dudley and Stephens
    • Michael Da Silva & David Owen, Itamar Mann, lifeboats and climate politics: An introduction
    • Itamar Mann, From survival cannibalism to climate politics: Rethinking Regina vs Dudley and Stephens
    • Antje Scharenberg, Aboard the ‘Commonist Lifeboat’: Metaphor, custom, materiality: Response to Itamar Mann Agora
    • Chris Armstrong, Lifeboats and their problems: On the downsides of an influential metaphor in political theory
    • Ainhoa Campàs Velasco, Navigating maritime law, law of the sea and human rights protection to inform climate adaptation

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

New Issue: Questions of International Law

The latest issue of Questions of International Law / Questioni di Diritto Internazionale (no. 114, 2026) is out. Contents include:
  • What role for regional human rights courts concerning democratic backsliding?
    • Introduced by Bernardo Mageste Castelar Campos
    • Elena Carpanelli, From watchdog to architect? The European Court of Human Rights’ role in and after democratic decay
    • Lucas Carlos Lima, Democracy before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights: From political rights to democratic backsliding
    • Awalou Ouedraogo, Entre flux et reflux : la démocratie en question dans le système régional africain

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Call for Papers and Engaged Listeners: International Legal History and Philosophy

A call for papers and engaged listeners has been issued for a forum on "International Legal History and Philosophy," to be held April 15, 2026, at Chanakya National Law University, Patna, India. The call is here.

Monday, February 9, 2026

Global Law at Reading's Ghandhi Research Seminar Series, 2025-26, Semester 2

Here's the schedule for Global Law at Reading's (GLAR) Ghandhi Research Seminar Series, 2025-26, Semester 2 (all times are UK time):
  • February 24, 2026: Andrea Maria Pelliconi (Univ. of Southampton): Demographic engineering and the reconfiguration of self-determination in Western Sahara from Morocco’s occupation to UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025); 2pm, Palmer 101 and online on Teams
  • March 5, 2026: Catherine Briddick (Refugee Studies Centre, Oxford), Palestine refugees and Article 1D of the Refugee Convention in European courts; 1pm, EM57 or online on Teams
  • March 11, 2026: GLAR book discussion: Animals and the Constitution: Towards Sentience-based Constitutionalism, with authors John Olusegun Adenitire and Raffael Fasel, and discussants David Bilchitz, Melanie Murcott and Alok Gupta; 2.30pm, Palmer 105 or online on Teams
  • March 12, 2026: Nick Maple (Univ. of London), Refugee Reception in Southern Africa; 12 March 2026, 1pm, EM57 or online on Teams
  • March 19, 2026: Antonio Coco (Univ. of Essex), Modes of Liability for AI-Enabled Crimes in International Criminal Law; 12 noon, Palmer G09 or online on Teams
  • April 30, 2026: Federica Paddeu (Univ. of Cambridge), The Distributive Effect of Countermeasures in International Law; 12 noon, Palmer 107 or online on Teams
  • May 7, 2026: Jeff Crisp (Refugee Studies Centre, Oxford), The Role of UNHCR and the Future of Humanitarian Work; 1pm, EM57 or online on Teams

Sunday, February 8, 2026

New Issue: International Community Law Review

The latest issue of the International Community Law Review (Vol. 28, no. 1, 2026) is out. Contents include:
  • Elia Alexiou, The Revival of the ICJ’s Advisory Function: Enhanced or Contested Legitimacy?
  • Jennifer Buckesfeld, Cooperating by Means of Collective Countermeasures? Examining States’ Obligations Regarding Grave Human Rights Violations
  • Zuzanna Pepłowska-Dąbrowska, Krzysztof Wróbel, Mateusz Gil, & Ryszard Wawruch, Collisions at Sea Involving Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships: Notes on Prevention and Liability Rules

Friday, February 6, 2026

New Issue: Human Rights Quarterly

The latest issue of the Human Rights Quarterly (Vol. 48, no. 1, February 2026) is out. Contents include:
  • Rachel Chambers, Shareen Hertel, & Cory Runstedler, Human Rights Due Diligence: Views of the Process, From the Ground Up
  • Yulia Ioffe & Hedi Viterbo, Reassessing Age Assessment: When the Violence of Age Meets the Violence of the Border
  • Zahra Motamedi, Religious and Tribal Sovereignty in Afghanistan: The Taliban’s Governance, Its Impact on Women’s and Minorities’ Rights, and Global Implications
  • Valeria Ruiz Pérez, Legitimizing Penality: Human Rights Discourses and Punitivism in Colombia
  • Patient Mpunga-Biayi & Robin Sinchrist-Lecheks, The Fight Against Female Genital Mutilation in International Human Rights Law: The Contribution of the Joint General Comment by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
  • Qingxin K. Wang, Locke, Mencius, and Their Conceptions of Human Dignity and Rights

Kassoti: International Law as a Political Question: The CJEU’s Deference to the Institutions on Questions of International Law

Eva Kassoti (T.M.C. Asser Institute) has posted International Law as a Political Question: The CJEU’s Deference to the Institutions on Questions of International Law. Here's the abstract:

In the field of EU external relations law, judicial deference has been discussed mostly within the context of the political question doctrine debate. The latter has a long pedigree in US law. Its nature, scope and legitimacy as well as its applicability in the EU external relations context are controversial and the topic has been mainly discussed in the context of the CFSP. At the same time, the CJEU’s deference to the political institutions on questions relating to international law and international relations has been overlooked in the relevant literature, despite the historic relationship between the political question doctrine and international law and the fact that, there is relevant CJEU practice.

Questions of judicial deference in the realm of foreign affairs bring to the fore fundamental constitutional questions regarding the role of the judiciary and the proper division of powers between courts and the political branches.

In this light, the contribution focuses on the question of whether and under what circumstances the EU courts follow the lead of the political branches when faced with questions of international law. By doing so, the paper purports to feed into the broader debate on deference to the political institutions in EU external relations law as well as to illuminate the constitutional dimension of the discussion.

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Allen, Diogo, Mensi, & Pereira Coutinho: Western Sahara in the International Legal Order – 50 Years after the ICJ Advisory Opinion

Stephen Allen
(Queen Mary, Univ. of London - Law), João Francisco Diogo (NOVA School of Law), Andrea Mensi (Catholic Univ. of Milan - Law), & Francisco Pereira Coutinho (NOVA School of Law) have published Western Sahara in the International Legal Order – 50 Years after the ICJ Advisory Opinion (Brill | Nijhoff 2025). The table of contents is here. Here's the abstract:
This book commemorates the 50th anniversary of the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the Western Sahara, bringing together leading international legal scholars to explore and critically assess the enduring relevance and implications of the Opinion. It offers a comprehensive and authoritative analysis of the main legal issues surrounding the status of the Western Sahara, including self-determination, territorial sovereignty, decolonization, and the role of international institutions. By providing historical context, legal interpretation, and contemporary perspectives, the volume serves as a definitive reference for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in international law, conflict resolution, and the ongoing legal dimensions of the Western Sahara question.

Call for Papers: The European Union as a sanctioning actor: Legal and institutional developments

The Centre for the Law of EU External Relations at the T.M.C. Asser Institute and the Multidisciplinary International Network on Sanctions at Ghent University have issued a call for papers for a conference on "The European Union as a sanctioning actor: Legal and institutional developments," to take place on December 11, 2026, in The Hague. The call is here.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Call for Papers: The UN Security Council amid Fracture: Past, Present, and Future

A call for papers has been issued for a workshop on "The UN Security Council amid Fracture: Past, Present, and Future." The workshop will be part of the 13th European Workshops in International Studies, July 1-3, 2026, in Izmir, Turkey. The call is here. Abstracts may be submitted here. The deadline the submission of abstracts is February 11, 2026.

Monday, February 2, 2026

Mbengue, Cima, & McGarry: Shelton's International Environmental Law (Fourth Edition)

Makane Moïse Mbengue
(Univ. of Geneva - Law), Elena Cima (Univ. of Geneva - Law), & Brian McGarry (Leiden Univ. - Law) have published the fourth edition of Dinah Shelton's International Environmental Law (Brill | Nijhoff 2025). Here's the abstract:
Dinah Shelton’s International Environmental Law provides a comprehensive and updated analysis of international environmental frameworks, offering insights into the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. This edition further develops the intersection of environmental law with human rights, trade, and other international legal fields, while examining the role of global institutions, treaties, and customary law in addressing today’s most pressing environmental issues. The book provides an essential guide to the legal frameworks that underpin efforts to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development in the 21st century.

Sunday, February 1, 2026

New Issue: International & Comparative Law Quarterly

The latest issue of the International & Comparative Law Quarterly (Vol. 74, no. 4, October 2025) is out. Contents include:
  • Articles
    • Lord Sales, Purpose in Law and in Interpretation
    • Caroline E. Foster, The 2025 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change
    • Benoit Mayer, Victims in Climate Litigation
    • Julien Chaisse, Investment Facilitation Agreements and Treaty Function Reordered: A Theory of Procedural Treaty Design
    • Adeline Chong, ‘Salami-Slicing’ and Issue Estoppel: Foreign Decisions on the Governing Law
    • Barend van Leeuwen, From Comparison to Effectiveness: The Scope and Aims of Comparative Analysis in Free Movement Judgments of the CJEU
    • Shaun Matos, The Imposition of International Obligations on Domestic Non-State Actors
  • Shorter Articles
    • Sebastian von Massow, Using International Law in UK Courts
    • Eleni Polymenopoulou, Provisional Measures in the African Human Rights System

Saturday, January 31, 2026

New Volume: African Journal of International Economic Law

The latest volume of the African Journal of International Economic Law (Vol. 5, 2025) is out. Contents include:
  • Keynote Article
    • Joel M. Ngugi, TWAIL, Transformation, The National Judge, Academic and Municipal Lawyer
  • Special Issue: The African International Economic Law 2023 Conference: International Economic Law in an Era of Multiple Crises: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa
    • Titilayo Adebola, Regis Y. Simo, Suzzie O. Oyakhire, Tsotang Tsietsi, Harrison Mbori, & Ashimizo Afadameh-Adeyemi, Introduction to the Special Issue
    • Richard Frimpong Oppong, International Economic Law in an Era of Multiple Crisis: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa (Keynote Address: African International Economic Law Network 2023 Conference)
    • Obiora C. Okafor, African States’ Priorities for International Economic Law and Socio-Economic Prosperity on the Continent in this Era of Multiple Crises: Reflections on Some of the Themes in Richard F. Oppong’s Keynote Address
    • Caroline B. Ncube, Cascading Crises Call for a Concerted and Inclusive Continental Response: Reflections on Richard F. Oppong’s Keynote
    • Kathleen Mpofu, Assessing the Viability of Investor Liability Provisions in the Reform Agenda of International Investment Law
    • Atupele Masanjala, Malawi’s Cotton Trade: Riding the Coattails of the Cotton-4
    • Chido Teclar Mitchel Muza, Unlocking the Potential of Blockchain Technology for Secured Payments in International Commercial Transactions
    • Mbakiso Magwape, AfCFTA and Revenue: Navigating Outstanding Fiscal Issues and Legal Framework to attain Agenda 2063
    • Suzzie O. Oyakhire & Ohiocheoya Omiunu, Decolonising the Teaching of International Economic Law: A Critical Reflection of Two Global South Scholars Situated on Either Side of the North-South Divide
    • John S. Nyanje, ‘Swahilinisation’ of the East African Court of Justice: Decolonising Through Language

New Issue: World Trade Review

The latest issue of the World Trade Review (Vol. 25, no. 1, February 2026) is out. Contents include:
  • Mona Paulsen & Dan Ciuriak, The Case for WTO Collective Action
  • Eloise Elizabeth Gluer, The Level Playing Field and Determining Trade Impact under Trade Agreements: Implications from the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
  • Xiu-qun Ye, Qin Guo, Changjin Liu, Miraj Ahmed Bhuiyan, & Da Wang, Can Pilot Free Trade Zones Improve Local Governance Quality? Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment in China
  • Tianqi Gu, Friend-Shoring Critical Minerals: Investment Law at the Intersection of Geo–economics and Treaty Restraint
  • Silvana Tarlea & Florian Weiler, What Drives International Cooperation? Evidence from WTO Negotiations
  • Martina F. Ferracane, Simón González Ugarte, & Tomás Rogaler, Global Trends in Digital Trade Policies and Practices: Evidence from the Digital Trade Integration Database

Friday, January 30, 2026

Call for Submissions: Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law

The Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law has issued a call for submissions for its Volume 29 for contributions related to the "Law and Practice of the United Nations" and "Legal Issues Related to the Goals of the United Nations." The call is here.

Rachovitsa: AI and Human Rights

Mando Rachovitsa (Univ. of Nottingham - Law) has published AI and Human Rights (in Artificial Intelligence: Law and Regulation, Charles Kerrigan ed., 2nd ed., Edward Elgar Publishing 2025). Here’s the abstract:
This chapter positions the relevance of human rights law to risks associated with AI, AI systems and algorithmic decision-making. The discussion is informed by EU developments on protecting against the harmful effects of AI systems, under the AI Act and the Digital Services Act, as well as the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The analysis addresses states’ human rights obligations within the lifecycle of AI systems by focusing on the challenges of algorithmic opacity and states’ responsibility to regulate AI systems via impact assessments. The discussion moves on to highlight how the regulatory framework evolves regarding non-state actors’ human rights duties. Business corporations increasingly find themselves being scrutinised by domestic courts in connection to human rights issues. The obligations, under the EU AI Act, to conduct a fundamental rights’ impact assessment for high-risk AI systems and, under the Digital Services Act, to conduct a risk assessment for systemic risks, which includes actual or foreseeable negative effects for the exercise of human rights, reposition the relevance of human rights in designing and deploying AI. The last part of the chapter engages with the incompatibility of certain AI systems with human rights law. The chapter concludes by reinforcing the value of human rights law to AI while interrogating its capacity to capture all novel algorithmic harms.