The Everyday Makers of International Law

Part essay, part novel, this book offers a unique take on the inner workings of international courts. It reveals how judges reach their decisions and what invisible actors, such as counsel, bureaucrats, and academics, contribute to the process. The narrative combines the author's first-hand experience with rigorous research in legal sociology.

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This book offers a unique insight into the inner workings of international courts and tribunals. Combining the rigour of the essay and the creativity of the novel, Tommaso Soave narrates the invisible practices and interactions that make up the dispute settlement process, from the filing of the initial complaint to the issuance of the final decision. At each step, the book unravels the myriad activities of the legal experts running the international judiciary – judges, arbitrators, agents, counsel, advisors, bureaucrats, and specialized academics – and reveals their pervasive power in the process. The cooperation and competition among these inner circles of professionals lie at the heart of international judicial decisions. By shedding light on these social dynamics, Soave takes the reader on a journey through the lives, ambitions, and preoccupations of the everyday makers of international law.