The Permanent International Criminal Court: Legal and Policy Issues

(Paperback)

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The idea of an International Criminal Court has captured the international legal imagination for over a century. In 1998 it became a reality with the adoption of the Rome Statute. This book critically examines the fundamental legal and policy issues involved in the establishment and functioning of the Permanent International Criminal Court. Detailed consideration is given to the history of war crimes trials and their place in the system of international law, the legal and political significance of a permanent ICC, the legality and legitimacy of war crimes trials, the tensions and conflicts involved in negotiating the ICC Statute, the general principles of legality, the scope of defences, evidential dilemmas, the perspective of victims, the nature and scope of the offences within the ICC's jurisdiction - aggression, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, questions of admissibility and theories of jurisdiction, the principle of complementarity, national implementation of the Statute in a range of jurisdictions, and national and international responses to the ICC. The expert contributors are drawn from a range of national jurisdictions - UK, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. The book blends detailed legal analysis with practical and policy perspectives and offers an authoritative complement to the extensive commentaries on the ICC Statute.

Reviews

.the book is a formidable collection of essays covering a wide range of topics an ideal starting point for exploring the ICC and understanding its fundamental characteristics, and is thus particulary valuable for students of the field.the volume offers valuable insights and a handy reference guide for practitioners and academics interested in understanding one of the most important and complex international institutions. -- Markus Benzing * Heidelberg Journal of International Law, Band 66, Number 3 *
It provides enough detail for the novice to be useful, rather than overwhelming, and its insightful analysis and critical examination will be invaluable for those more familiar with the international criminal justice system generally. -- Teresa Dunworth, University of Auckland * New Zealand Law Journal *
It is a marvelous blend of theory, analysis, and real world politics presented in a coherent and linear fashion. In all, the book provides an comprehensive,..and well-written account of all aspects of the International Criminal Court. The editors have done a fine job of presenting works of outstanding scholars on a complex subject in a book to which many scholars-and certainly this reviewer-will refer for many years to come. -- Lynn M. Maurer * The Law and Politics Book Review *

Author Bio

Dominic McGoldrick is Professor of Public International Law and Director of the International and European Law Unit,Liverpool Law School, University of Liverpool. Peter Rowe is Professor of Law at Lancaster University. Eric Donnelly is a Research Assistant for the International and European Law Unit, Liverpool Law School.