Director's Foreword
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law is one of the leading independent research centres for international and comparative law in the world. Its record of achievement over 50 years in promoting the understanding of the rule of law in international affairs and comparative legal systems through its research, publishing, training and advisory activities is as wide-ranging as it is distinguished. Its high quality research projects and seminars encompass almost all areas of international law (both public and private) and comparative law, and it is at the forefront of discussions on the many contemporary issues of international and comparative law.
The Institute was created by the merger of the Society of Comparative Legislation (founded in 1894) and the Grotius Society (founded in 1915 and named after the 16th century Dutch jurist regarded as one of the founders of international law). This merger created an independent research body, unaffiliated to any university, which is committed to the understanding, development and practical application of international and comparative law. It is both a limited company under UK law, and a registered charity. In 2008 it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Its membership comprises lawyers from the academic community, from legal practice (including judges, solicitors and barristers), and from government and non-governmental organisations, as well as non-lawyers who are interested in the many aspects of international and comparative law. It engages with all these members and with non-members who recognise the broad impact of the law on many activities, not least on commercial and government actions, and the need to promote the rule of law in international affairs. In its governance it brings together the expertise of some of the most senior practitioners in the field of international and comparative law. Based in London, the Institute is uniquely placed to interact with these varied constituencies, as well as its growing international membership. I encourage you to become a member of the Institute and access all its benefits and networks.
The diversity of the Institute's membership and its ability to engage with a wide variety of international and comparative issues ensures that it remains a relevant and essential institution. It provides an excellent environment for valuable and helpful discussions between those advising governments, corporations and others, and with the academic community. It works with some of the leading scholars, judges and practitioners in their fields, and its research ensures that many contemporary issues are carefully examined and analysed, and seeking clear practical outcomes for its research. The Institute is always very grateful for any funding to support its work.
For 50 years the Institute's work has been based on the core principle that the rule of law is an essential framework for international and national systems. The rule of law is vital for many reasons, including:
- for the creation and good functioning of international and national institutions, including those that administer the law;
- for effective cooperation in trade, investment and financial activities;
- for the establishment and protection of civil society, good governance and human rights;
- for ensuring respected guidelines for societies in conflict and post-conflict;
- for supporting capacity building; and
- for the assurance of a just order determined and enforced by law rather than by other means.
Above all, the rule of law is a key requirement to enable peace and justice for all people, organisations and governments within international and national societies.
Through its established research programme, events series, publications, and Visiting Fellowship and internship programmes, the Institute aims to:
- Clarify, apply and extend the international rule of law in global problem-solving;
- Foster a comparative understanding of national legal systems;
- Assist developing countries through legal capacity-building and training;
- Encourage and support the best scholarship and talent in this legal field.
The Institute promotes its work globally through its website, papers on special topics, and its widely respected journal, the International and Comparative Law Quarterly, and the Bulletin of International Legal Developments. It publishes a wide variety of books on a range of contemporary legal issues, and continues actively to commission new writers.
The Institute has been vitally important in enabling greater understanding of the changes in the international community and in international and comparative law. Indeed, it is a unique body in the United Kingdom and one of very few similar organisations in the world. I am confident that it will continue to grow and develop dynamically throughout the twenty-first century to ensure that the rule of law across the world is strengthened and more deeply embedded.
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