Many people probably don’t realize it, but international law plays a major role in everyday life. For example in armed conflicts, in natural disasters due to climate change and subsequent refugee flows, in safeguarding human rights and in conducting international trade. International law helps to end wars and to secure water and food for everyone, and it protects freedom of expression, to name but a few.

The purpose of this book is to contribute to a better understanding of public international law and private international law, including the latest trends and highlights. The conclusions of the authors of this book are mostly optimistic. A positive look is sometimes needed to notice the progress and not to go too fast in negative hypes. In order to move forward with international law, we need to understand the state of affairs and the trends, per jurisdiction and in a broader sense, taking into account historical developments and ever-changing geopolitical contexts. The authors note that states are increasingly being forced to accept human rights as a guideline for their actions. Little by little, human rights are conquering a place in all areas of international law and in international relations, where it is ultimately a question of pure power policy coming to its knees for law. In addition, they see a new social contract between states, civil society (NGOs, trade unions, churches) and companies, with support and critical reflection from science and they observe a combination of clarity and diversity. When developing international law, it is very important not to neglect global cultural and political diversity in theory and practice. The book is written in such a way that it is accessible to anyone interested in these topics. Per chapter the reader is introduced to basic concepts from international law, and to international organizations and historical events that were important for the development of that part of international law. The book aims to impart basic knowledge to each of the topics discussed, and offers all kinds of options for further study where this is necessary and desirable depending on the needs of the reader. The reader will gradually understand that the various legal areas and developments within them are interconnected.

The book also tells the story of the unique and historical link between international law and the city of The Hague. The city was described by former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as “Epicentre of international justice and accountability.”

The authors are professors (Willem van Genugten and Nico Schrijver) and a Ph.D. student (Daniela Heerdt) in the field of international law. They have extensive experience with rule of law projects around the globe.