Sommersemester 2019​

KO: International Dispute Settlement

Instructor: Dr. Mateja Steinbrück Platise, M.Jur (Oxford)


Time and Venue

10.05.2019  14:00 - 18:00  RuW 2.102
31.05.2019  14:00 - 18:00  RuW 2.102
14.06.2019  14:00 - 18:00  RuW 1.101
28.06.2019  14:00 - 18:00  RuW 2.102
19.07.2019  14:00 - 18:00  RuW 2.102

Bitte beachten Sie folgende Änderung: Der 3. Termin wird nicht der 07.06.2019 sein, sondern der 14.06.2019


Language of Instruction: English

Type of Exam: Klausur


Aim of the Course

Few areas of international law develop as rapidly as international dispute settlement, involving various international courts and tribunals, governments, law firms, civil society actors and other state and none-state actors all over the globe. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of some of the basic concepts and principles in international dispute settlement, and to give an overview over the range of non-judicial and judicial methods of dispute settlement in public international law. It contrasts the use of these methods in different legal fields and examines some of the most prominent institutional settings in which international dispute settlement operates. Students will be involved in debates and case studies throughout the course, being encouraged to critically evaluate differences and common features of various dispute settlement mechanisms as well as their relationship, potentials and shortcomings.

Course Overview

Part I: Basic Concepts and Principles

  1. Introduction
  2. The Concept of International Dispute
  3. Justiciability
  4. The Obligation of Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes

Part II: Methods of Dispute Settlement

  1. Negotiation, Good Offices and Mediation
  2. Inquiry and Conciliation
  3. Arbitration
  4. Adjudication
  5. The Interaction between Diplomatic and Adjudicative Means

Part III: Fields and Institutions

  1. The United Nations and the International Court of Justice
  2. The Dispute Settlement under the Law of the Sea Convention
  3. International Trade and Investment Dispute Settlement
  4. Human Rights Litigation
  5. International Criminal Courts and Tribunals
  6. Environmental Protection

Part IV: Selected Trends and Challenges

  1. Structural Bias
  2. Competing Forums
  3. Implementation
  4. Informal Governance Mechanisms