The existence of international law, with its rights, rules and regulations is futile without an effective enforcement mechanism that provides a sufficient and adequate remedy. International space law is particularly significant in the evolution of international dispute settlement because it involves a consideration of issues from an international and interdisciplinary perspective. These issues range from policies of regional and international organizations; to juridical dispute settlement and global governance; to fiscal entrepreneurship and business efficacy; and to scientific breakthroughs and technological advances. In this context, this book looks at an international and interdisciplinary approach in dealing with dispute resolution in space activities. It proposes a workable legal framework for dispute resolution in outer space, together with a mechanism for enforcement and verification.

International Space Law and the United Nations is a comprehensive collection of writings by the author on this latest branch of international law. The book covers a number of subjects highlighted by discussions of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its Legal Subcommittee. The book also takes into account the influences that international organizations have had on the development of space law and includes several perspectives of developing countries on this subject. This publication is an outstanding educational and reference tool, as the author tackles this complex subject in an organized and rational manner. The author, a key participant at the United Nations in the development of international law relating to activities in space, traces the history of that development, giving clear insight into the workings of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and establishes space law as a distinct legal discipline. Subsequent chapters are devoted to the various issues that have given rise to the growth of this discipline, including arms control; economic and social development; specific provisions contained in the outer space treaties and how they relate to practical matters, such as dispute resolution; private sector growth and commercialization in space activities; international cooperative programmes, particularly those developed under the auspices of the United Nations, and recent developments and future issues facing the space-faring community. The book is an excellent source for further research in the field of space law. It is a must for students and practitioners and those interested in international organizations.

In its forty-fourth session the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the 1990s as the Decade of International Law. One of the main purposes of the decade is the promotion of effective means for peaceful international dispute settlement, and, especially, strenghtening the role of and respect for the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The editors of this book contribute to this aim by bringing together a variety of opinions by international legal experts on peaceful dispute settlement. The subject is approached from different angles, ranging from the role of the International Law Commission and the Non-Aligned Movement to human rights and space law disputes, in order to identify areas of international law where room exists for further development of existing means for peaceful settlement of international disputes. A general conclusion which can be drawn from this survey is that the focus of attention should not be aimed primarily at strenghtening the role of the International Court of Justice, e.g. by amending some of its rules or by trying to increase its political acceptability through diplomatic efforts. Instead, the focus should be on small scale improvements within specific areas of international law with an emphasis on the relation between dispute settlement and supervision. Furthermore, it seems essential for a real improvement to give non-governmental organisations or private persons a greater role in upholding the rule of international law, whether in domestic courts or in international fora. This work has been published previously in the Leiden Journal of International Law, Special Issue (3 LJIL 90).

Drawing on lessons learned in international law, juridical dispute settlement, entrepeneural efficiency, science and technology and space policy, this book offers a comprehensive insight into dispute settlement and proposes a workable and enforceable framework for dispute settlement concerning space activities.