International Civil Tribunals and Armed Conflict

The purpose of this book by Matheson (George Washington U. Law School) is to describe the expansion in recent decades of international civil tribunals (those without criminal jurisdiction) in cases involving armed conflict, and to assess the degree to which this expansion affected the resolution of conflicts and the development of applicable law. After providing a general history of the role of international civil tribunals in armed conflicts, from the international arbitrations of the 19th century through the early Cold War, and a more detailed consideration of specific cases from the last three decades, Matheson discusses the processes by which such tribunals deal with armed conflict cases, addressing jurisdiction, admissibility of claims, ordering of provisional measures of protection, determination of facts, methods of adjudicating the law, and awarding of relief. Finally, he considers the effects of past decisions on present-day substantive law, assessing impacts on just ad bellum; jus in bello; the application of other legal norms in armed conflict such as human rights treaties, commercial agreements, and the protection of diplomats; and issues of territorial status. Martinus Nijhoff is an imprint of Brill. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Michael J. Matheson, LLB (1968), Stanford Law School, teaches at George Washington University Law School. He was a senior lawyer and diplomat in the U.S. State Department, has taught at several universities, and has published extensively on international law topics.