International Law Commons^™

The Un: A Situation Report, Benjamin Zawacki

ExpressO

The UN: A Situation Report is a review of two recent books on the past, present, and future of the UN; in short, of its relevance in a changing and uni-polar world at the end of Kofi Annan’s two terms as Secretary-General. The books’ focus is both on the organization’s successes and failures, and its efforts at self-reform in the face of near-constant criticism. They are reviewed as individually divergent in quality but as a formidable “situation report” when read in tandem. Paul Kennedy’s The Parliament of Man, save for its first of three parts, is generally criticized for its …

Charting Developments Concerning Punitive Damages: Is The Tide Changing?, John Y. Gotanda

Working Paper Series

This essay discusses a number of developments outside of the United States concerning punitive damages, which may ultimately signal a change in the way other countries view American awards of such damages.

To date, courts in many countries have refused to recognize and enforce American punitive damages awards on the ground that they violate the host country’s public policy. In most civil law countries, such as France and Germany, penal damages can only be ordered in criminal proceedings; a civil award of such damages has been viewed as contrary to ordre public. In common law countries, while punitive damages generally …

The International Tribunal For The Law Of The Sea And The Possibility Of Judicial Settlement Of Disputes Involving The Fishing Entity Of Taiwan - Taking Ccsbt As An Example, Yann-Huei Song

San Diego International Law Journal

The main purpose of this paper is to assess the possibility of judicial settlement of fishery disputes involving the fishing entity of Taiwan and examine the legal questions regarding jurisdiction over the disputes. This analysis is based on the articles related to dispute settlement that are provided in the SBT Convention, the ITLOS Statute and the international law of the sea and the judicial practice of the ITLOS and other relevant arbitration courts in the Southern Bluefin Tuna case. Following this introductory section, Section II describes the establishment of the CCSBT and the selection and application of the methods of …

A Complete Property Right Amendment, John H. Ryskamp

ExpressO

The trend of the eminent domain reform and "Kelo plus" initiatives is toward a comprehensive Constitutional property right incorporating the elements of level of review, nature of government action, and extent of compensation. This article contains a draft amendment which reflects these concerns.

The Flight From Arbitration: An Empirical Study Of Ex Ante Arbitration Clauses In Publicly-Held Companies’ Contracts, Theodore Eisenberg, Geoffrey Miller

ExpressO

We study a data set of 2,858 contracts contained as exhibits in Form 8-K filings by reporting corporations over a six month period in 2002 for twelve types of contracts and a seven month period in 2002 for merger contracts. Because 8-K filings are required only for material events, these contracts likely are carefully negotiated by sophisticated parties who are well-informed about the contract terms. These contracts, therefore, provide evidence of efficient ex ante solutions to contracting problems. The vast majority of contracts did not require arbitration. Only about 11 percent of the contracts included binding arbitration clauses. The rate …

Jumping On The Bandwagon: How Canadian Lawyers Can & Should Get Involved In The Emerging Trend To Implement Therapeutic Jurisprudence Practices In Canadian Courts, Brooke Bloom

ExpressO

No abstract provided.

How The Other Half Lives (Revisited): Twenty Years Since Midler V. Ford - A Global Perspective On The Right Of Publicity, Alain Lapter

ExpressO

For celebrities, name and image are, arguably, two of their most valuable assets. From headlining a movie, to starring in a commercial, to endorsing a product, a celebrity’s persona is potentially worth thousands to millions of dollars. However, this intangible commodity’s worth is often siphoned off by those who appropriate a celebrity’s name or image without authorization or remuneration, thus potentially decreasing the property’s value. In order to stifle this unjust enrichment, celebrities greatly desire the absolute right to control the commercial exploitation of their name and likeness.

In this article, I examine the current state of the right of …

Damages In Lieu Of Performance Because Of Breach Of Contract, John Y. Gotanda

Working Paper Series

In contract disputes between transnational contracting parties, damages are often awarded to compensate a claimant for loss, injury or detriment resulting from a respondent’s failure to perform the agreement. In fact, damages may be the principal means of substituting for performance or they may complement other remedies, such as recision or specific performance.

Damages for breach of contract typically serve to protect one of three interests of a claimant: (1) performance interest (also known as expectation interest); (2) reliance interest; or (3) restitution interest. The primary goal of damages in most jurisdictions is to fulfil a claimant’s performance interest by …

The Law Of International Commercial Arbitration In Singapore, Warren B. Chik

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The Singapore dispute resolution landscape entered the new millennium with the reconstruction of the dual carriageway for arbitration. In 2002, the old road to arbitral resolution of disputes ( i.e. , the old Arbitration Act and the old International Arbitration Act ) were reconstructed and what emerged were two updated legislations: the Arbitration Act and the International Arbitration Act . At about the same time, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) also diversified with the introduction of a new set of Domestic Arbitration Rules.

Bond Repudiation, Tax Codes, The Appropriations Process And Restitution Post-Eminent Domain Reform, John H. Ryskamp

ExpressO

This brief comment suggests where the anti-eminent domain movement might be heading next.

Sovereignty Of Aves Island: An Argument Against Standardized, Compulsory Arbitration, Michael S. Garrison

ExpressO

States engaging in preemptive dispute resolution frequently call upon adjudicative or diplomatic means to resolve territorial boundary disputes and comply with international law. In light of reduced efficacy of such dispute resolution mechanisms, however, some propose that all states should engage in compulsory, standardized arbitration subject to International Court of Justice (“I.C.J.”) review to resolve their boundary disputes. Although arbitration is an effective method of international dispute resolution in certain cases, standardized arbitration will not effectively resolve all boundary disputes between neighbor states.

This Comment argues against the proposition that the United Nations (“U.N.”) implement a standardized arbitration mechanism and …

Circumventing The Supremacy Clause? Understanding The Constitutional Implications Of The United States' Treatment Of Treaty Obligations Through An Analysis Of The New York Convention, Amber A. Ward

San Diego International Law Journal

The United States participation in treaties and other international agreements is becoming more necessary and an increasingly prevalent occurrence as a result of globalization. The rapid pace of technological innovation and more effective means of transportation have caused our world to shrink, making countries even more interconnected. The corresponding explosion of international business and commercial transactions has resulted in high levels of risk and uncertainty due to a complex mix of laws, monetary factors, politics and cultures that vary across countries. For global players, it has become essential to have international agreements that can mitigate the risks inherent in international …

The Lack Of Dissent In Wto Dispute Settlement: Is There A “Unanimity” Problem?, Meredith Kolsky Lewis

ExpressO

This article is the first piece of scholarship to analyze in detail the fact that there has been almost no dissent in World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement reports. The article first examines the empirical data with respect to dissenting and concurring opinions at both the panel and Appellate Body levels. Fewer than five percent of panel reports and two percent of Appellate Body reports contain separate opinions of any kind. It second shows that the WTO is in fact actively discouraging dissents, and discusses why this might be the case. The article argues that dissents are valuable in general, …

On-Line But Out Of Touch: Analyzing International Dispute Resolution Through The Lens Of The Internet, Benjamin J.C. Wolf

Cardozo Journal of International and Comparative Law

The note explores the evolution and challenges of international dispute resolution, particularly arbitration, in the context of the internet's impact on global trade. It highlights how arbitration, while effective, faces new complexities such as jurisdictional disputes and enforcement difficulties due to the internet's borderless nature. The author argues that while arbitration remains a vital method for resolving international disputes, it must adapt to the unique challenges posed by digital transactions to ensure continued effectiveness.

The Role Of International Arbitrators, Susan Franck

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

With the advent of the global economy, arbitration has become the preferred mechanism for resolving international disputes. Today international arbitrators resolve billions of dollars worth of disputes.' Arbitration has taken on such prominence in the international context that commentators express "little doubt that arbitration is now the first-choice method of binding dispute resolution" and has "largely taken over litigation."'

The Unexplored Option: Jewish Settlements In A Palestinian State, David M. Phillips

ExpressO

The withdrawal of Israeli settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip, the recent Hamas victory in the Palestinian Authority elections, and the results of the Israeli elections in which the newly-formed Kadima Party received a plurality of the votes have all focused attention upon the fate of Israeli Jewish settlements on the West Bank. Most parties consider the continued existence of the settlements as precluding a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and their establishment as having violated international law. The assumption that their presence precludes peace is premised primarily on the assumption that Israeli settlements will eventually mean Israeli …

Superstition-Based Injustice In Africa And The United States: The Use Of Provocation As A Defense For Killing Witches And Homosexuals, Jennifer Dumin

ExpressO

This Article examines two different instances where strong cultural and religious beliefs suggest that an individual is justified in taking another’s life. Focusing primarily on South Africa and the United States, it argues that the rationale used to defend those who kill suspected witches and those who kill suspected homosexuals is the same – merely because a criminal holds a belief that the victim is evil, the criminal is somehow entitled to a lesser punishment. In the United States, those who readily recognize the absurdity of the witchcraft defense may have some difficulty in recognizing the same level of absurdity …

Selecting Mediators And Representing Clients In Cross-Cultural Disputes, Harold Abramson

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Even an adept negotiator can be baffled by cultural differences. When a negotiation reaches an impasse because of an unfamiliar cultural interest or a miscommunication between the parties due to different styles of communicating, negotiating, or decisionmaking, the negotiator might find it helpful to enlist assistance from a culturally-trained and culturally-appropriate mediator. This Article considers how such a third party can help you, as a negotiator, bridge cultural differences. It considers when to seek aid from a mediator, what the credentials of the mediator ought to be, and the impact of the mediator's approach on the way you represent your …

The Hague Convention On Choice Of Court Agreements: The United States Joins The Judgment Enforcement Band, Matthew H. Adler, Michele Crimaldi Zarychta

Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business

In 2005, the United States signed a treaty that, if ratified, would be the United States' first-ever international agreement on judgment enforcement. The treaty provides that (a) where two commercial parties elect to resolve disputes between them in a particular forum, and (b) a judgment issues from that forum, then (c) all member states must enforce the judgment. It is a document driven by party autonomy; absent a choice of court agreement (in U.S. parlance, a choice of forum clause), the treaty has no meaning or applicability. The treaty's signing was the end of a rigorous journey. The United States …

Self-Determination In International Mediation: Some Preliminary Reflections, Jacqueline Nolan-Haley

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Few concepts have generated as much discussion in the postwar international legal system as that of "self-determination." Scholars debate the proper identity of the "selves" endowed with this right, its boundaries and its normative relevance. When the focus turns to mediation, the discussion becomes murky because the concept of self-determination has both procedural and substantive components and is noticeably different in the private and public sectors.

Barriers To Progress At The Negotiation Table: Internal Conflicts Among Israelis And Among Palestinians, Robert H. Mnookin, Ehud Eiran, Sreemati Mitter

Nevada Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Link Between Domestic Conflicts And Negotiation Failure In The Middle East, Russell Korobkin

Nevada Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Creating Positive Facts On The Ground: A Viable Palestinian State Overview, Byron Bland, Lee Ross, Walid Salem

Nevada Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Day After Tomorrow: What Happens Once A Middle East Peace Treaty Is Signed?, Andrea Kupfer Schneider

Nevada Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Promotion Of International Commercial Arbitration And Other Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques In Ten Southern Mediterranean Countries, Giuseppe De Palo, Linda Costabile

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

As the strategic economic partner of the Southern Mediterranean (MEDA) region, the European Union (EU) seeks to promote effective mechanisms of development through increased industrial cooperation in order to create a Euro-Mediterranean area of shared prosperity. The first Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministries of Industry, held in June of 1996 in Brussels, listed among its priority objectives 1) the formation of a fair judicial and administrative framework for investment; and 2) the establishment and support of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the development of regional networks. However, recent reports on world trade and investment describe the MEDA region as an …

Collaboration In The Exploration Of Outer Space: Using Adr To Resolve Conflicts In Space, Ka Fei Wong

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

This Note will explore in detail the use of ADR procedures for claims brought under the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects of 1972 ("Liability Convention"), pointing out the benefits and effectiveness of the procedures. This Note will also explore the problems with the Liability Convention, and will suggest modifications to improve the ADR procedures set forth therein. By drawing on the ADR procedures from the Liability Convention as an example, this Note will suggest that the use of ADR procedures to resolve most outer space conflicts would be most desirable. Although ADR procedures currently exist …

The Role Of Citizens And The Future Of International Law: A Paradigm For A Changing World, Avnita Lakhani

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Time is on our side and security is to be found, only if we would have a change of heart about the role that citizens can play in the future of international law. True, citizens do play a role in the development and enforcement of domestic laws, especially in more democratic and Western societies. Citizens have also had significant influence in the development of international law. However, citizens (i.e. non-state actors) have not had a direct hand in the enforcement of international law through private action as accorded to state-actors (i.e. governments). This means that citizens, in most cases, have …

An Unfair Advantage: Comparing The International Court Of Justice To A Form Of Adr And Why It Was Inappropriate For The Court To Issue An Advisory Opinion In The Case Of Israel's Separation Fence, Mimi Trenk

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

This Note will begin with a concise background of the ArabIsraeli conflict. It will then explain the three arguments presented to the Court as to why it should have declined to exercise jurisdiction and the Court's response. It will explore the similarities of non-binding arbitration, as a form of alternative dispute resolution, and the Advisory Opinion. It will then examine whether, in the interests of justice, it was appropriate for the Court to issue the opinion, even though it is considered to be non-binding. This Note will examine the Israeli Supreme Court as the proper forum to enforce the rights …

Climate Change And The Use Of The Dispute Settlement Regime Of The Law Of The Sea Convention, Meinhard Doelle

Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press

This article explores the connection between obligations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the climate change regime and obligations to protect the marine environment under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Within the context of the state of the science on the links between climate change and the marine environment, the article considers whether the emission of greenhouse gases as a result of human activity constitutes a violation of various obligations under the UNCLOS. Having identified a number of possible violations, the article proceeds to consider the application of the binding dispute settlement process …

Domestic Violence In Ghana: The Open Secret, Nancy Chi Cantalupo, Lisa Vollendorf Martin, Kay Pak, Sue Shin

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

This report discusses the findings of a Georgetown Law International Women’s Human Rights Clinic fact-finding team that traveled to Ghana, Africa in March 2003 to investigate domestic violence. The report reviews the contours of the domestic violence problem in Ghana and outlines the ways in which Ghanaian law and procedure was insufficiently addressing the problem at the time. Its chief findings include that the Ghanaian laws existing in 2003 inadequately punished perpetrators and protected victims of domestic violence and that court and police enforcement of the existing law was lacking, including because the government was allowing the removal of domestic …