Tables, Bibliography.

Cover; Chapter 1 Introduction; A. Structure; B. Methodology; C. Scope of the study; Part I The 'international' amicus curiae; Chapter 2 Great expectations? Presumed functions and drawbacks of amicus curiae participation; A. Presumed functions of amicus curiae; I. Broader access to information; II. Representation of 'the' public interest; III. Legitimacy and democratization; IV. Contribution to the coherence of international law; V. Increased transparency; B. Presumed drawbacks; I. Practical burdens; II. Compromising the parties' rights.

III. Politicization of disputes, de-legitimization and lobbyismIV. Overwhelming developing countries; V. Unmanageable quantities of submissions; VI. Denaturing of the judicial function; C. Conclusion; Chapter 3 An international instrument; A. Amicus curiae before national courts; I. The origins of amicus curiae; II. Amicus curiae before the English courts; III. Amicus curiae before the United States Federal Courts and the Supreme Court; IV. Internationalization: amicus curiae in civil law systems and in inter- and supranational legal instruments; V. Comparative analysis.

B. Emergence and rise of amicus curiae before international courts and tribunalsI. International Court of Justice; II. International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea; III. European Court of Human Rights; IV. Inter-American Court of Human Rights; V. African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights; VI. WTO Appellate Body and panels; VII. Investor-state arbitration; C. Conclusion; Chapter 4 Characteristics, status and function of amicus curiae before international courts; A. Characteristics of the international amicus curiae; I.A procedural instrument; II. A non-party and a non-party instrument.

III. Transmission of informationIV. An interested participant; V. An instrument of non-state actors?; B. Functions of the international amicus curiae; I. Information-based amicus curiae; II. Interest-based amicus curiae; 1. International Court of Justice and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea; 2. European Court of Human Rights; 3. Inter-American Court of Human Rights; 4. WTO Appellate Body and panels; 5. Investor-state arbitration; 6. Comparative analysis; III. Systemic amicus curiae; IV. Analysis; 1. The myth of 'the' international amicus curiae; 2. An evolving concept.

3. Are there limits to the functions amici curiae may assume?C. Amicus curiae and other forms of non-party participation; I. International Court of Justice and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea; II. WTO Appellate Body and panels; III. Investor-state arbitration; IV. Comparative analysis; D. Conclusion; Part II Commonalities and divergences: the procedural laws of amicus curiae participation; Chapter 5 Admission of amicus curiae to the proceedings; A. Legal bases for amicus curiae participation; I. International Court of Justice; II. International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

"Amicus curiae participation in international courts and investment arbitration tribunals is increasing despite lack of clarity on the concept's nature, function and added value in international dispute settlement. The book examines the laws and practices of amicus curiae to assess the concept's status quo, and to determine if it meets the many expectations. Does it infuse proceedings with alternative views and the public interest? Does it increase the legitimacy and transparency of international dispute settlement, or the coherence of international law? Or does it derail the proceedings at the expense of the parties to advance its agenda? The book argues that neither the expectations nor the concerns attached to amicus curiae have materialized. It shows a hesitation by courts with a strong adversarial tradition to consider the views of non-parties, and argues that amicus curiae is not the best vehicle to present a public interest or increase legitimacy. However, it can improve judicial decisions and decision-making if regulated and used properly."--Bloomsbury Publishing.