On Tuesday 11 May 2021 at 2pm BST, Professor Leïla Choukroune (University of Portsmouth) and Professor James J. Nedumpara (Centre for Trade and Investment Law, New Delhi, and Jindal Global University) are launching a new textbook published by Cambridge University Press entitled International Economic Law: Text, Cases and Materials. The authors will be presenting and discussing the contents of their book as part of a virtual launch event. You are cordially welcome to join the book launch and discussion on 11 May. Please click here to register.
The textbook, available in June 2021, is an examination of the core principles, landmark disputes, and modern developments in IEL reflecting a global approach.
Ahead of the book launch, the authors were interviewed and we are so pleased to be able to share their answers which shed light on the comprehensive themes covered in the textbook.
Interview answers:
- What prompted you to write a textbook on this specific topic? Is it an under-researched topic, or is it a discipline for which the literature needs to be updated constantly?
Our journey started in New Delhi in 2016 while discussing the fate of contemporary international economic law. We both felt that it was ample time to produce a new textbook. While a very large number of specialized resources have flourished in the past 15 to 20 years, we lacked a global and comprehensive vision of a field of international law, which needed to be addressed in holistic manner. Our project was then to integrate all fields of international economic law from trade, to investment, global finance and development in one comprehensive yet accessible publication. In this regard, our textbook can be read as a one-stop reference, but also at a more specialized technical level. It is a “research textbook” in that our own research has informed the drafting process and numerous scholarly references are given to invite the reader to “go further”.
- What would you say are some of the most novel and impactful themes covered in your textbook?
Most importantly, it is a truly global and contemporary textbook. Contrary to most of the existing references in the field of international trade/investment law or even general public international law, we have systematically integrated all types of perspectives and examples and that of the Global South in particular. Our case discussions, the text abstracts, or exercises are not merely US or Europe focused, although we devote a fair amount of space to conventional materials. They reflect the diversity of today’s global economic relations. It is also a new modern textbook in that it provides a large variety of tools deftly arranged in illustrative boxes, cases comments, exercises and mini chapters. Lastly, it is firmly grounded in general international law and takes a longitudinal and critical perspectives.
Our ambition was to trigger thinking and encourage our readers to grow an inquisitive mind. The later aspect is extremely important to us. Over the years, we have developed a vast expertise as academics, but also practitioners of international law with experience in multiple jurisdictions. We wanted our students, colleagues and other experts to embark upon an stimulating intellectual journey which goes beyond the great technicalities of our field.
- How did you manage to approach these topics from a global perspective?
As mentioned above, our own experience is very global. We both come from multicultural backgrounds and have lived, studied and worked in different countries covering Asia, Europe, America or Africa. It was absolutely essential to us to reflect these experiences in our book while giving the floor to all. Our textbook intends to participate to the development of a truly internationalised law; one which is progressively decolonised and welcomes all geographical and intellectual perspectives.
- How has your personal research informed the writing of this textbook?
Both of us are very active researchers. We have supervised a very large number of research students and managed multiple projects. This is truly a “research textbook” reflecting upon the recent intellectual debates and integrating scholarly perspectives. Most importantly, our critical approach is research based as it conveys a way of thinking in questioning concepts and facts.
- Who do you think would benefit best from this textbook?
Especially students, practitioners, public policy experts or to an extent, everyone having an interest and concern about global affairs. General public who are concerned with large investor state dispute settlement awards, trade and public health concerns, intellectual property issues, environmental or sustainability concerns or finance and development aid, can find this book a useful piece of reference.
Naturally, we hope that our students and colleagues all over the world, will adopt this textbook as their major reference material and get back to us with feedback informing the next editions.
This has been a fascinating journey, a long and complex one at times as it’s not easy to produce an 850 page treatise. We are looking forward to the next steps with great excitement!
Covering all of the diverse aspects of international economic law, this book is a comprehensive, accessible yet scholarly review that scholars and students of international economic law, as well as practitioners, will find an invaluable and thought-provoking resource. This work will surely become the standard reference textbook in the field.
Professor Julien Chaisse, City University of Hong Kong, & President, Asia-Pacific FDI Network
This comprehensive, well-organized volume on international economic law is an excellent resource for teaching and scholarship. It combines clear explanation, helpful figures and excerpts, good summaries, review questions, exercises, and lists of further reading.
Gregory Shaffer, Chancellor’s Professor, University of California, Irvine School of Law
Research and Innovation Services 