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The International Rule of Law

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 July 2015

KENNETH J. KEITH
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Abstract

The ‘rule of law’ is a concept at the very heart of the United Nations (UN) mission declared its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. What does the concept mean internationally? The paper considers its role in international adjudication; in the UN more generally; in terms of the acceptances of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ); the difference between thick and thin definitions of the concept; equality before the law; the requirement of clarity and certainty by reference to interpretation of treaties and maritime delimitation; compliance by Governments with international law; and the peaceful settlement of international disputes; and concludes with the importance of personal qualities and professional qualities.

Keywords

clarity of the lawequality before the lawinternational applicationrule of lawthin and thick definitions
Type
JOHN DUGARD LECTURE – 2015
Information
Leiden Journal of International Law , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , September 2015 , pp. 403 - 417
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation of the Leiden Journal of International Law 2015 

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References

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