Few topics of international law speak to the imagination as much as international immunities. Questions pertaining to immunity from jurisdiction or execution under international law surface on a frequent basis before national courts, including at the highest levels of the judicial branch and before international courts or tribunals. Nevertheless, international immunity law is and remains a challenging field for practitioners and scholars alike. Challenges stem in part from the uncertainty pertaining to the customary content of some immunity regimes said to be in a 'state of flux', the divergent – and at times directly conflicting - approaches to immunity in different national and international jurisdictions, or the increasing intolerance towards impunity that has accompanied the advance of international criminal law and human rights law. Composed of thirty-four expertly written contributions, the present volume uniquely provides a comprehensive tour d'horizon of international immunity law, traversing a wealth of national and international practice.

‘We are living in a time when traditional immunities protective of states, international organizations, and their officials are being severely challenged, not least by calls for greater accountability and enforcement of human rights protections. This volume assembles an extraordinary array of scholars and practitioners who comprehensively, cogently and thoughtfully analyse the existing law of the wide array of immunity regimes, drawing upon copious contemporary state practice and jurisprudence.'

Sean D. Murphy - George Washington University Law School, UN International Law Commission and President of the American Society of International Law

‘Whoever seeks clarification on any immunity question should consult this Handbook. It offers an excellent overview and detailed discussion of the international law aspects written by outstanding scholars and practitioners.'

August Reinisch - Member of the International Law Commission and Universität Wien