The Effectiveness of International Adjudicators

Oxford Handbook of International Adjudication, Karen J. Alter, Cesare Romano and Yuval Shany, eds., 2013

19 Pages Posted: 28 Dec 2012 Last revised: 25 Dec 2014

See all articles by Laurence R. Helfer

Laurence R. Helfer

Duke University School of Law; University of Copenhagen - iCourts - Centre of Excellence for International Courts

Date Written: December 17, 2013

Abstract

This chapter, forthcoming in the Oxford Handbook of International Adjudication, provides an analytical overview of the burgeoning literature on the effectiveness of international courts and tribunals (ICs). It considers four dimensions of effectiveness that have engendered debates among scholars or received insufficient scrutiny. The first dimension, case-specific effectiveness, evaluates whether the litigants to a specific dispute change their behavior following an IC ruling, an issue closely linked to compliance with IC judgments. The second variant, erga omnes effectiveness, assesses whether IC decisions have systemic precedential effects that influence the behavior of all states subject to a tribunal’s jurisdiction. The third approach, embeddedness effectiveness, evaluates the extent to which ICs anchor their judgments in domestic legal orders, enabling national actors to remedy potential treaty violations at home and avoid the need for international litigation. The fourth type, norm-development effectiveness, considers how IC decisions contribute to building a coherent body of international jurisprudence. For each dimension of effectiveness, the chapter reviews recent studies, identifies contested or under-analyzed issues, and suggests avenues for future research.

Keywords: international courts, international tribunals, international litigation, effectiveness, compliance, interpretation

Suggested Citation

Helfer, Laurence R., The Effectiveness of International Adjudicators (December 17, 2013). Oxford Handbook of International Adjudication, Karen J. Alter, Cesare Romano and Yuval Shany, eds., 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2194189

Laurence R. Helfer (Contact Author)

Duke University School of Law ( email )

210 Science Dr.
Box 90360
Durham, NC 27708
United States
+1-919-613-8573 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://law.duke.edu/fac/helfer/

University of Copenhagen - iCourts - Centre of Excellence for International Courts ( email )

University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law
Karen Blixens Plads 16
Copenhagen S, DK-2300
Denmark

HOME PAGE: http://jura.ku.dk/icourts/

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