Editor: Robert McCorquodale

Published: November 2010

Cover: Paperback

Pages: 272

If the daunting challenges now facing the world are to be overcome, it must be in important part through the medium of rules, internationally agreed, internationally implemented and, if necessary, internationally enforced. That is what the rule of law requires in the international order. - Lord Bingham (Chapter 1)

The maintenance and promotion of the rule of law is of fundamental importance for the human dignity and well-being of people everywhere, providing the foundations for good governance, an effective economy and a fair society, and affecting the daily lives of people around the world. Its relevance extends across a wide range in the affairs of people and states: in the laws of armed conflict; laws outlawing corruption and governing constitutional affairs; in energy and environmental rights; the respective roles and powers of the various arms of government and agencies at national, regional and international level; the independence of the judiciary; and in human rights.

This book explores some key issues concerning the rule of law in the international and comparative context, clarifying key aspects of the rule of law and applying them to real life examples across the world, including:

- the impact of business on human rights;

- anti-competitive practices and the role of the European Union bodies;

- the development of international investment law;

- the use of comparative law to inform national decision-making; and

- the effects of international criminal law and practice.

The analysis is given by some of the leading lawyers in the world-Yves Fortier, Mary Robinson, Jane Stapleton, Keir Starmer and Lord Bingham-as well as the senior researchers of the British Institute of International and Comparative, as it celebrated 50 years of promoting the rule of law in an international and comparative context.