Wednesday, August 29, 2012


ASIL–ESIL
Rechtskulturen Workshop, 

Cambridge Transatlantic Debates in International Legal Theory

Draft Programme



Thursday, 20 September 2012 

Welcome and Introductions
Marc Weller or Roger O’Keefe (Lauterpacht Centre)
Evan Criddle (Syracuse/ASIL) and Jörg Kammerhofer (Freiburg/ESIL)

Keynote Speech
Philip Allott (Cambridge), Law and Social Evolution

Panel 1 - Transatlantic Currents in International Legal Theory
Chair: Aeyal Gross (Tel Aviv)
- Monica Garcia-Salmones (Helsinki), What Divides Us in Truth Unites Us: The Interests’ Approach in the Transatlantic Debates in International Legal Theory
- John Parry (Lewis & Clark), Historicizing (and Abandoning?) the ‘Grotian Tradition’ in International Law
- Guglielmo Verdirame (KCL), International Law: Time for a Normative (Re) Turn?
Discussant: Patrick Capps (Bristol)

Formal Dinner at Clare College


Friday, 21 September 2012

Panel 2 - Treaty Interpretation in Comparative Perspective
Chair: John Linarelli (Swansea)
- Julian Arato (NYU), Treaty Interpretation and Constitutional
- Christian Djeffal (Humboldt), Transatlantic Divides on Treaty Interpretation
- Julian Davis Mortenson (Michigan), The Travaux of Travaux: A Historical Perspective on ‘American’ and ‘European’ Treaty Interpretation
Discussant: Stefan Oeter (Hamburg)

Coffee Break

Panel 3 - Theories of Institutional Legitimacy
Chair: Donald E. Childress III (Pepperdine)
- Nienke Grossman (Baltimore), New Approach to the Normative Legitimacy of International Courts
- Surabhi Ranganathan (Cambridge), Should Institutions Alter Multilateral Treaties? Scholarly Proposals, Underlying Visions, and the Degrees of ‘Difference’
- Christopher A. Whytock (UC Irvine), Resolving the Tension between Foreign State Immunity and Court Access Rights: European and U.S. Approaches
Discussant: John Tasioulas (UCL)

Catered Lunch in the Lauterpacht Centre Garden

Panel 4 - Transcending Parochialism in International Legal Theory
Chair: Tim Sellers (Baltimore)
- Rudy Baker (USC), The New Building Blocks of Customary International Law
- Tim Meyer (U Georgia), Title tbc
- Andreas Sennekamp and Nicolas Lamp (WTO), The Doctrine of Precedent: Precedent in Common Law, Civil Law and International Law
Discussant: Philip Liste (Hamburg)

Closing
Jörg Kammerhofer, Evan Criddle and Alexandra Kemmerer (Berlin/ Rechtskulturen)

Tuesday, August 14, 2012


European Society of International Law
Interest Group on International Legal Theory
Workshop, held on the occasion of the Fifth Biennial ESIL Conference on ‘Regionalism and International Law’
Valencia, 13–15 September 2012
Universalism and Particularism in International Law


The Topic

This panel will address the universal and the particular in the structures of international law and the role of regionalism in expressing, mediating or cutting across universal-particular dynamics. International legal scholars are accustomed to analysing questions of regionalism on the basis of general theories of normative differentiation and centre–periphery dynamics, typically adapted from social theory, historical sociology, or political economy. Indeed, only a few scholars have sought to undertake independent investigations into the competing interpretations of the concept of regionalism in international legal discourse itself. What might a sustained theorisation of the concept of regionalism in international law look like? How might such a theorisation relate to international legal debates animated by universalism and/or particularism? To what extent should international law recognize and support the political, historical, cultural, and economic differences among states?


General

Workshop Title: Universalism and Particularism in International Law

Location: ADEIT-Fundación Universitat-Empresa, University of Valencia (http://www.adeit.uv.es/).
Date and Time: Thursday, 13 September 2012, 10:00-12:00.
One panel will be held. Each presentation will last for 20 minutes with 40 minutes reserved for discussion.


Programme

Aeyal Gross (Chair)

Geoffrey Gordon, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Transnational legal studies dept. 'Cosmopolitanism and Regionalism in International Law'.
Jaye Ellis, Associate Dean (Academic), Hydro-Québec Sustainable Development Law Scholar, Faculty of Law, McGill University. 'Law’s Deference to Expert Discourses as Grounding for Universal Validity'.
Fabia  Veçoso, Doctoral Candidate in International Law, University of São Paulo. 'Assessing Regionalism in International Law'.
John D. Haskell, Assistant Professor, Mississippi College School of Law; Honorary Research Fellow, Durham Law School. '"Against Culture": Indeterminacy and Structural Bias in Progressive International Legal Thought'.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Call for Papers - Valencia Workshop 2012



European Society of International Law
Interest Group on International Legal Theory
Workshop, held on the occasion of the Fifth Biennial ESIL Conference on ‘Regionalism and International Law’
Valencia, 13–15 September 2012
Call for Papers
Universalism and Particularism in International Law

On the occasion of the Fifth Biennial ESIL Conference in Valencia, the ESIL Interest Group on International Legal Theory invites submissions for a workshop on the theoretical dimensions of the universalism–particularism dynamic in international law.

The Topic

This panel will address the universal and the particular in the structures of international law and the role of regionalism in expressing, mediating, cutting across or subverting universal-particular dynamics. International legal scholars are accustomed to analysing questions of regionalism on the basis of general theories of normative differentiation and centre–periphery dynamics, typically adapted from social theory, historical sociology, or political economy. Indeed, only a few scholars have sought to undertake independent investigations into the competing interpretations of the concept of regionalism in international legal discourse itself. What might a sustained theorisation of the concept of regionalism in international law look like? How might such a theorisation relate to international legal debates animated by universalism and/or particularism? To what extent should international law recognize and support the political, historical, cultural, and economic differences among states?

The Application Process

We invite submissions of abstracts of no more than 400 words from all scholars with an interest in international legal theory. Selection will be based on scholarly merit, and with regard to producing an engaging workshop, but without prejudice to gender, seniority, language or geographical location.

Each submission should include the following:
(a)  a short curriculum vitae containing the author’s name, institutional affiliation, contact information and e-mail address;
(b) an abstract of no more than 400 words; and
(c)  the intended language of presentation.

Applications should be submitted to legaltheory@esil-sedi.eu by 1 April 2012. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process by 15 April 2012.

Please note that the ESIL Interest Group on International Legal Theory is unable to provide funds to cover the conference registration fee or related transport and accommodation costs.

For further information about the ESIL Interest Group on International Legal Theory, please see: http://esiligilt.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Call for Papers - Cambridge ASIL-ESIL Workshop 2012

ASIL–ESIL International Legal Theory Workshop
“Transatlantic Debates in International Legal Theory”
The International Legal Theory Interest Group of the American Society of International Law (ASIL), in partnership with the European Society of International Law (ESIL) Interest Group on International Legal Theory, will hold a joint works-in-progress workshop at the University of Cambridge’s Lauterpacht Centre for International Law on September 27–28, 2012.

The workshop’s theme is “Transatlantic Debates in International Legal Theory.” On many levels, the interaction between North American international legal scholarship and its European counterpart(s) is working very well. Time and again, however, one finds that the underlying theoretical or philosophical framework is radically different. In this workshop we would like to explore that difference without letting ourselves be defined by it. Contributions analyzing, criticizing, denying or celebrating the difference are welcome, as well as papers exemplifying the various theoretical approaches to international law, be they “American,” “European” or neither. The most important function of this workshop is to intensify the transatlantic theoretical debate by bringing together scholars with diverse disciplinary, philosophical, and methodological perspectives to discuss cutting-edge research on international legal theory.

Up to twelve papers will be selected for presentation. Although discussants will be assigned to introduce the papers, all workshop participants will be expected to read all of the contributions in advance and come prepared to contribute to the discussion.

Interested participants should submit an abstract (1,000 words maximum) summarizing the ideas they propose to develop for presentation at the workshop. Submissions on all topics related to international legal theory are encouraged, but preference will be given to proposals that engage the workshop’s theme. Papers that have been accepted for publication prior to the workshop are eligible for consideration, provided that they will not appear in print before the workshop.

The workshop’s organizers will undertake to secure outside funding to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for all scholars who present papers at the workshop, but they cannot, at this stage, guarantee its availability.

Abstract submissions should be sent to asil.esil.theory@gmail.com by April 20, 2012. Successful applicants will be notified by May 11, 2012. Papers must be fully drafted and ready for circulation to participants by August 31, 2012. Questions regarding the workshop may be directed to Evan Criddle (ecriddle@law.syr.edu) or Jörg Kammerhofer (joerg.kammerhofer@jura.uni-freiburg.de).

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Schedule of Workshop at Fourth ESIL Research Forum in Tallinn

The European Society of International Law Interest Group on International Legal Theory is pleased to announce that it will organize two panels at the Fourth ESIL Research Forum in Tallinn (26-28 May 2011).

The schedule for these two panels is as follows:

WORKSHOP: PLURALITIES OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL THEORY
Held on the occasion of the Fourth ESIL Research Forum
Tallinn, 26-28 May 2011

Office of the Chancellor of Justice, Room to be announced
Thursday, 26 May 2011, 1700-2000 hrs

Panel One 1700-1825 hrs

    * Chairperson: André de Hoogh
    * Noora Arajärvi, The Line Begins to Blur? The Changing Notion
      of Opinio Juris and Moralisation of Customary International Law
    * Jason Beckett, Positivism After Deconstruction
    * Mark Searl, The Morality of International Law

Panel Two 1835-2000 hrs

    * Chairperson: Umut Özsu
    * Maria Elander, Lost in Representation? Victims at the ECCC
    * Julia Dehm, Differentiating the Necessarily Pluralism of
      Radical Climate Justice from Polycentric Climate Governance
    * Lucie Cviklová, Transnational Courts in the Field of Human
      Rights Through Perspective of International Legal Theory and
      Sociology

We look forward to seeing you in Tallinn!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Call for Papers - Tallinn Workshop 2011

European Society of International Law Interest Group on International Legal Theory Workshop on International Legal Theory - Call for Papers

Held on the occasion of the Fourth ESIL Research Forum in Tallinn, 26-28 May 2011

PLURALITIES OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL THEORY

In the tautness of the polemics between orthodox and critical accounts of international law, it is easy to lose the plurality of the engagements of theory. Although often understood as polar opposites which constitute the field, neither 'critical' nor 'orthodox' approaches capture the full scope and range of theorisations of international law and the international.

We invite theorisations of international law(s) from any family of legal theory, positivist, orthodox, critical, sociological or otherwise. The symposium aims to be a presentation of the most exciting current thinking in international law theory.

The goal of this approach is to promote and facilitate discussion of works in progress relating to any area and issue of International Legal Theory. We particularly invite papers that take a step aside from taxonomy and critiques of the critique, in order to investigate the boundaries of how we think about international law. We also invite papers related to the teaching of international law theory.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Along with your abstract of no more than 400 words, please include the following in your email:

  * name, institutional affiliation, whether you are a graduate student or not, contact
information and e-mail address;

  * the intended language of presentation.

All applications should be submitted to mailto:legaltheory@esil-sedi.eu by SATURDAY, 15 JANUARY 2011. The outcome of the selection process results will be notified to all applicants as soon as possible thereafter. Selection is made by the members of the IGLIT Coordinating Committee on a blind basis.

We are pleased to note that the conference organisers intend to charge only a reduced conference registration fee for speakers at the Interest Group Workshops. Transport and accommodation costs, however, will have to be borne by the selected participants.

One abstract per person please. Selection will be based on scholarly merit, with regard to producing an engaging workshop and without prejudice to gender, seniority, language or geographical location. Speakers at the main conference will usually not be selected for the special workshop.

Further information about the ESIL Interest Group on International Law Theory can be accessed at: http://esiligilt.blogspot.com/.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Welcome!

As a subsidiary structure of the European Society of International Law (ESIL-SEDI), the Interest Group on International Legal Theory (IGILT) was created in May 2006, at the Society’s biannual conference in Paris. In December of the same year, the IGILT elected its first coordinating committee.

Its general terms of reference establish the IGILT as a specialized forum dedicated to research and sustained discussion of matters concerning international legal theory. The IGILT conducts all such activitites against the background of ESIL's mission statement and within the framework of the Society’s own events.

All IGILT projects, initiatives, and day-to-day affairs are run by a coordinating committee. The committee consists of seven members. The membership of the committee is determined by election.

The chief functions and responsibilities of the coordinating committee are determined by the ESIL by-laws.

Current members of the coordinating committee:

Fleur Johns is a Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of the Sydney Centre for International Law within the Faculty of Law, University of Sydney, teaching and conducting research mainly in public international law and legal theory. Fleur is a graduate of the University of Melbourne (BA, LLB (Hons)) and Harvard Law School (LLM, SJD). She is a member of the Editorial Boards of the Leiden Journal of International Law (co-editor, Articles), the Australian Journal of Human Rights, and the journal Global Peace, Change & Security, a former Primary Editor of the Harvard Human Rights Journal and former Book Review Editor with the Sydney Law Review. Fleur practised at the New York Bar for six years before embarking upon an academic career, and has worked with a number of non-governmental and international organizations in Australia and elsewhere.

Aeyal Gross teaches at the Tel-Aviv University Faculty of Law. He received his LL.B. from Tel-Aviv and his S.J.D. at Harvard Law School. He was awarded the Diploma in Human Rights from the European University Institute and interned with the European Commission on Human Rights in Strasbourg. He served on the board of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. He is currently a visiting fellow with the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies and teaching as a visitor at the School of Oriental and African Studies, both at the University of London. His research interests include: International, Constitutional, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; the Law of Occupation; Health Rights; Sexuality and the Law and Queer Theory; and Critical Theories of Law. He published and lectured in Israel, Europe, North America and South Africa.

Jörg Kammerhofer (Mag. iur., Dr. iur., Vienna; LL.M., Cantab) is currently a member of the Hans Kelsen Research Group at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, which will publish a collected works edition of all of Hans Kelsen's academic writings. He has recently completed his doctorate's thesis on international legal theory ('Uncertainty in international law. What does it look like, what causes it?') and has published articles inter alia on the theoretical problems of customary international law, on self-defence under the Charter, on the International Court of Justice and on Kelsen's conception of international law. His main academic interests are the general, theoretical and procedural aspects of public international law and the theory/philosophy of law.

Umut Özsu is an S.J.D. candidate at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. In addition to a B.A. (philosophy) from the University of Alberta, he holds an M.A. (philosophy), J.D., and LL.M. from the University of Toronto. His research interests lie principally in public international law, the history and theory of international law, comparative legal studies, and critical theory. More specifically, he is interested in the international legal implications of nation-building and humanitarian intervention, a particular source of concern being the (relatively under-examined) experiences of states on the semi-periphery of the international legal order. He also maintains a strong general interest in legal and political theories of state sovereignty. For details, please see Umut's homepage.

Sundhya Pahuja is Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne Law School where she researches and teaches mainly in the areas of public international law, international economic law, law and developments, law and globalisation and legal theory. She is co-director of the Research Programme in Law and Development at the Institute for International Law and the Humanities and Director of Studies for the LLM in Law and Development. Sundhya serves on the boards of the Australian Feminist Law Journal and the Melbourne Journal of International Law. She has lived, studied, worked and taught in the UK, Europe, Australia and North America.

Dr. Ignacio de la Rasilla del Moral, LL.B./J.D., (Complutense, Madrid), M.A. (HEI, Geneva), M.Phil.10' and S.J.D. cand. 13' in Jurisprudence (Seville), Ph.D. 10' in International Law/International Relations (Graduate Institute.Geneva), LL.M. 11' (Harvard Law School) is a Fellow of Royal College Complutense at Harvard University. For further academic background, and his list of publications visit: http://www.ignaciodelarasilla.org/

Akbar Rasulov lectures in international law at the University of Glasgow. He holds degrees from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Uzbekistan), Universities of Essex and Hull (UK), and Harvard Law School (US). His main interests lie in international legal theory, international law of nationalism, law and development, and broader questions of international public order. He is the author of "International Law and the Poststructuralist Challenge", 19 Lei. J. Int'l L. 799 (2006). He is a member of the Uzbek bar.

Mortimer Sellers is Regents Professor of the University System of Maryland and of the University of Maryland Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy and Director of the University of Baltimore Center for International and Comparative Law. He was educated at Oxford University (B.C.L., D.Phil.) and Harvard University (A.B., J.D.) and is editor of the Springer Verlag book series AMINTAPHIL: The Philosophical Foundations of Law and Justice. Professor Sellers' most recent books include "Republican Principles in International Law: The Fundamental Requirements of a Just World Order" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006) and "Universal Human Rights: Moral Order in a Divided World" (edited with David Reidy, 2005). He was the editor of the publication "International Legal Theory" from 1996 to 2008 and of "Ius Gentium" from 2001 to present.

Disclaimer: Neither the coordinating committee nor any of its members bear responsibility for any financial or logistical aspects of the IGILT’s activities. Unless otherwise stipulated, all IGILT activities are self-financed and self-supporting.