The 2019 Chagos Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice is a decision of profound legal and political significance. Presented with a rare opportunity to pronounce on the right to self-determination and the rules governing decolonization, the ICJ responded with remarkable directness. The contributions to this book examine the Court's reasoning, the importance of the decision for the international system, and its consequences for the situation in the Chagos Archipelago in particular. Apart from bringing the Chagossians closer to the prospect of returning to the islands from which they were covertly expelled half a century ago, the decision and its political context may be understood as part of a broader shift in North/South relations, in which formerly dominant powers like the UK must come to terms with their waning influence on the world stage, and in which voices from former colonies are increasingly shaping the institutional and normative landscape.

It gathers a varied group of international legal academics; ranging from world-renowned authorities in the field (e.g. Karen Alter (Northwestern), Bill Bowring (Birkbeck) and Armand de Mestral (McGill)), other well-established academics from institutions such as Cambridge and Copenhagen, UN officials, and early-career academics. The authors hail from all over the world. It is a diverse group of contributors, each with a unique set of expertise and an original perspective on the work of international courts.

The end of World War II marked the beginning of a new golden era in international law. Treaties and international organisations proliferated at an unprecedented rate, and many courts and tribunals were established with a view to ensuring the smooth operation of this new universe of international relations. The network of courts and tribunals that exists today is an important feature of our global society. It serves as an alternative to other, sometimes more violent, forms of dispute settlement. The process of international adjudication is constantly evolving, sometimes in unexpected ways. Through contributions from world-renowned experts and emerging voices, this book considers the future of international courts from a diverse range of perspectives. It examines some of the regional, institutional and procedural challenges that international courts face: the rising influence of powerful states, the turn to populism, the interplay between courts, the involvement of non-state actors and third parties in international proceedings, and more. The book offers a timely discussion of these challenges, with the future of several international courts hanging in the balance and the legitimacy of international adjudication being called constantly into question. It should also serve as a reminder of the importance of international courts for the functioning of a rules-based international order. 'The Future of International Courts' is essential reading for academics, practitioners and students who are interested in international law, including those who are interested in the role international courts play in international relations.

The 2019 Chagos Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice is a decision of profound legal and political significance. Presented with a rare opportunity to pronounce on the right to self-determination and the rules governing decolonization, the ICJ responded with remarkable directness. The contributions to this book examine the Court's reasoning, the importance of the decision for the international system, and its consequences for the situation in the Chagos Archipelago in particular. Apart from bringing the Chagossians closer to the prospect of returning to the islands from which they were covertly expelled half a century ago, the decision and its political context may be understood as part of a broader shift in North/South relations, in which formerly dominant powers like the UK must come to terms with their waning influence on the world stage, and in which voices from former colonies are increasingly shaping the institutional and normative landscape.

Self-Determination in Disputed Colonial Territories addresses the relationship between self-determination and territorial integrity in some of the most difficult decolonization cases in international law. It investigates historical cases, such as Hong Kong and the French and Portuguese territories in India, as well as cases that remain very much alive today, such as the Western Sahara, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and the Chagos Islands. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of colonial territories that are, or have been, the subject of adverse third-party claims, invariably by their neighbouring states. Self-Determination in Disputed Colonial Territories takes a contextual, historical approach to mapping the existing law and will be of interest to international lawyers, as well as scholars of international relations and students of the history of decolonization.

Self-Determination in Disputed Colonial Territories addresses the relationship between self-determination and territorial integrity in some of the most difficult decolonization cases in international law. It investigates historical cases, such as Hong Kong and the French and Portuguese territories in India, as well as cases that remain very much alive today, such as the Western Sahara, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and the Chagos Islands. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of colonial territories that are, or have been, the subject of adverse third-party claims, invariably by their neighbouring states. Self-Determination in Disputed Colonial Territories takes a contextual, historical approach to mapping the existing law and will be of interest to international lawyers, as well as scholars of international relations and students of the history of decolonization.