In a world of growing public interest in global matters and criticisms of multilateralism to adequately address them, the role of international courts and tribunals in the resolution of disputes is shifting. A central aspect of this shift is whether and how international courts and tribunals can be used to resolve such disputes in the public interest. This practice, referred to as public interest litigation, is the object of this collection, which identifies some recent developments, trends and prospects in this growing practice. Its aim is to assess the degree to which the bilateral design of international courts and tribunals can adapt to the shift towards a public approach to international litigation. Engaging with various fields where public interest litigation exists - such as human rights, climate change, global health and criminal law - it identifies recent developments, trends and prospects in this practice. The selected pieces provide a flavour of the types of issuesthat have arisen before international judicial bodies - for instance, the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, international arbitral tribunals, regional human rights bodies or criminal courts - and explores issues that may arise in the future
"A diverse range of voices on a concept far too often relegated to 'mere' politics, this innovative edited collection contributes important insights in the enduring debate of how to conceive the 'public' in public international law."
Gleider Hernández, Professor of Public International Law, Catholic University of Leuven
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"The catastrophes of the 20th century including the many incidents of systematic violations of human rights, the quest for climate justice and the need to continually reaffirm the inalienable rights of peoples to self-determination have all contributed to renewed interest in community obligations. In this impressive and highly topical study, Dr Bendel and Dr Suedi, unpack the central importance of public interest litigation in international adjudication. The book is a fascinating catalyst for a much needed debate on an important subject."
Phoebe Okowa, Professor of Public International Law, Queen Mary University of London, Member, United Nations International Law Commission
Gleider Hernández, Professor of Public International Law, Catholic University of Leuven
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"The catastrophes of the 20th century including the many incidents of systematic violations of human rights, the quest for climate justice and the need to continually reaffirm the inalienable rights of peoples to self-determination have all contributed to renewed interest in community obligations. In this impressive and highly topical study, Dr Bendel and Dr Suedi, unpack the central importance of public interest litigation in international adjudication. The book is a fascinating catalyst for a much needed debate on an important subject."
Phoebe Okowa, Professor of Public International Law, Queen Mary University of London, Member, United Nations International Law Commission