Conflict of Norms in Public International Law
How WTO Law Relates to other Rules of International Law

His recurring theme is how to marry trade and non-trade rules, or economic and non-economic objectives at the international level.

Joost Pauwelyn (Author)

9780521824880, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 31 July 2003

556 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.5 cm, 0.98 kg

"Pauwelyn's book deserves many credits for its unique value and contributions. It touches on an important subject-matter in the area of public international law. Undoubtedly, it is a laudable attempt to define conflict of norms in public international law, especially between WTO norms and non-WTO norms, in times of globalization and growing interdependence. The book is a product of serious enterprise both in its inclusiveness and profundity. It is very well-researched and rich in citations of jurisprudence and literatures."
-- Global Law Books, Sungjoon Cho

One of the most prominent and urgent problems in international governance is how the different branches and norms of international law interact and what to do in the event of conflict. With no single 'international legislator' and a multitude of states, international organisations and tribunals making and enforcing the law, the international legal system is decentralised. This leads to a wide variety of international norms, ranging from customary international law and general principles of law, to multilateral and bilateral treaties on trade, the environment, human rights, the law of the sea, etc. Pauwelyn provides a framework on how these different norms interact, focusing on the relationship between the law of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other rules of international law. He also examines the hierarchy of norms within the WTO treaty. His recurring theme is how to marry trade and non-trade rules, or economic and non-economic objectives at the international level.

Preface
Table of cases
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1. The topic and its importance: conflict of norms in public international law
2. The case study: the law of the World Trade Organisation
3. Hierarchy of sources
4. Accumulation and conflict of norms
5. Conflict-avoidance techniques
6. Resolving 'inherent normative conflict'
7. Resolving 'conflict in the applicable law' 8. Conflict of norms in WTO dispute settlement
Conclusions
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: International economic & trade law [LBBM], Public international law [LBB], Comparative law [LAM]