The World Court: What It Is and How It Works by Shabtai Rosenne

Abstract

The World Court: What It Is and How It Works, by Shabtai Rosenne Published by Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht/Boston/London (1995, 5th ed. , xviii and 353 pp. incl. Contents, Forewords and Preface, Appendices, Index of Cases and Index). Hardback. Price UK£82 or US $127. First published in 1962, this book was updated in three subsequent editions. It is the abbreviated, popularized version of the comprehensive two-volume magnum opus, The Law and Practice of the International Court , which – along with a stream of case notes and specially focused articles – established Mr Rosenne's reputation. With the advent of the 1978 Rules of Court and a number of significant cases tried under them, a more complete revision became necessary to reflect contemporary practice. ( The Law and Practice itself has never been revised; a thoroughly updated edition is in the works.) In his foreword to this fifth edition, Mohammed Bedjaoui, the President of the International Court of Justice, writes that although there is no shortage of good works on the ICJ, > … Shabtai Rosenne occupies quite a distinct place. For he is, on the Court, the quintessential author, the reference and the standard of value, the jetty to which all studies on the Court are secured. Praise of this magnitude and from such quarters indicates unmistakably that it is inconceivable for specialists in the field of public international law, and for students and practitioners who seek an analytical overview of the work of the Court, to do without this book. Specialists need no introduction to Mr Rosenne's work; they were familiar with its precursors, and they procured the fifth edition as soon as it became available. This review therefore addresses lawyers active in private international law, and suggests that as we enter the year of the ICJ's 50th anniversary they may profitably take the occasion to examine solutions suggested by the practice of the World Court for the more general field of international disputes resolution.1 The common factor of operating in a transnational context may well mean that international commercial arbitration has more in …