The Global Spread of European Style International Courts

Karen J. Alter (2012) The Global Spread of European Style International Courts, West European Politics, 35:1, 135-154

Northwestern Public Law Research Paper No. 11-55

Northwestern University Roberta Buffett Center for International and Comparative Studies Working Paper No. 11-003

26 Pages Posted: 19 Jun 2011 Last revised: 21 Feb 2023

See all articles by Karen J. Alter

Karen J. Alter

Northwestern University - Department of Political Science; University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law - iCourts Center of Excellence

Date Written: June 17, 2011

Abstract

Europe created the model of embedded international courts (IC), where domestic judges work with international judges to interpret and apply international legal rules that are also part of national legal orders. This model has now diffused around the world. This article documents the spread of European-style ICs: there are now eleven operational copies of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), three copies of the European Court of Human Rights, and a handful of additional ICs that use Europe’s embedded approach to international law. After documenting the spread of European-style ICs, the article then explains how two regions chose European style ICs, yet varied from the ECJ model.

Keywords: International Courts and Tribunals, European Court of Justice, International Economic Disputes. Regional Integration

JEL Classification: K33, P45, K30

Suggested Citation

Alter, Karen J., The Global Spread of European Style International Courts (June 17, 2011). Karen J. Alter (2012) The Global Spread of European Style International Courts, West European Politics, 35:1, 135-154, Northwestern Public Law Research Paper No. 11-55, Northwestern University Roberta Buffett Center for International and Comparative Studies Working Paper No. 11-003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1866787

Karen J. Alter (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Department of Political Science ( email )

601 University Place
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law - iCourts Center of Excellence ( email )

Karen Blixens Plads 16
Copenhagen, DK-2300
Denmark

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