Enforcement of international law is traditionally considered as one of the weaknesses of the existing international institutional architecture. Antonio Cassese has famously compared international courts to ‘giants without limbs’. In this second part of the Capita Selecta course, we will study non- coercive enforcement and compliance techniques. Enforcement involves both law and politics. The course will introduce you to some of the theoretical foundations of enforcement and compliance in international law and existing mechanisms and practices. We will discuss strengths and weaknesses of a number of international mechanisms, including the International Court of Justice, human rights mechanisms, international criminal jurisdictions, the role of domestic courts and impediments to enforcement.
Disclaimer: This course has been updated to the best of our knowledge at the current time of publishing. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the fluctuating changes in lock down regulations all information contained within this course description are subject to change up to 1 September 2020.
Due to the uncertainty of the Covid 19 virus after 1 September 2020, changes to the course description can only be made in the event of strict necessity and only in the circumstances where the interests of the students are not impinged. Should there be a need for any change during the duration of the course, this will be informed to all students on a timely basis and will not be to the prejudice of students. Modifications after 1 September 2020 may only be done with the approval and consent of the Faculty Board.