The ALI (American Law Institute) and UNIDROIT (the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law) are preeminent organizations working together toward the clarification and advancement of the procedural rules of law. Recognizing the need for a “universal” set of procedures that would transcend national jurisdictional rules and facilitate the resolution of disputes arising from transnational commercial transactions, Principles of Transnational Civil Procedure was launched to create a set of procedural rules and principles that would be adopted globally. This work strives to reduce uncertainty for parties that must litigate in unfamiliar surroundings and to promote fairness in judicial proceedings. As recognized standards of civil justice, Principles of Transnational Civil Procedure can be used in judicial proceedings as well as in arbitration. The result is a work that significantly contributes to the promotion of a universal rule of procedural law. The American Law Institute was organized in 1923 following a study conducted by a group of prominent American judges, lawyers, and law professors. Their recommendation that a lawyers' organization be formed to improve the law and its administration led to the creation of The American Law Institute. UNIDROIT was founded in 1926 as a specialized agency of the League of Nations. It exists as an independent intergovernmental organization on the basis of a multilateral agreement, the UNIDROIT Statute. Its purpose is to study needs and methods for modernizing, harmonizing, and coordinating private laws between states and groups of states and to prepare legislative texts for consideration by governments.

The American Law Institute and UNIDROIT (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law) are preeminent organizations working toward the clarification and advancement of the procedural rules of law. Recognizing the need for a 'universal' set of procedures that would transcend national jurisdictional rules and facilitate the resolution of disputes arising from transnational commercial transactions, Principles and Rules of Transnational Civil Procedure was launched to create a set of acceptable rules and principles that would be accepted globally. This work strives to reduce uncertainty for parties obliged to litigate in unfamiliar surroundings and promote fairness in judicial judgments. As recognized standards of civil justice, Principles and Rules of Transnational Civil Procedure can be used in pleadings, development, and presentation of evidence, legal argument, and tribunal judgments such as arbitration. The result is a work which significantly contributes to the promotion of a universal rule of law norm.

Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice defines "international law" to include not only "custom" and "convention" between States but also "the general principles of law recognized by civilized nations" within their municipal legal systems. In 1953, Bin Cheng wrote his seminal book on general principles, identifying core legal principles common to various domestic legal systems across the globe. This monograph summarizes and analyzes the general principles of law and norms of international due process, with a particular focus on developments since Cheng's writing. The aim is to collect and distill these principles and norms in a single volume as a practical resource for international law jurists, advocates, and scholars. The information contained in this book holds considerable importance given the growth of inter-state intercourse resulting in the increased use of general principles over the past 60 years. General principles can serve as rules of decision, whether in interpreting a treaty or contract, determining causation, or ascertaining unjust enrichment. They also include a core set of procedural requirements that should be followed in any adjudicative system, such as the right to impartiality and the prohibition on fraud. Although the general principles are, by definition, basic and even rudimentary, they hold vital importance for the rule of law in international relations. They are meant not to define a rule of law, but rather the rule of law.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

This text on transnational civil litigation presents the basic legal doctrine within a larger, illuminating conceptual framework. The book organizes the subject around three basic concepts: national sovereignty, individual rights, and political accountability. After highlighting the unique problems of litigation across national boundaries, the book explores the essential role of individual rights, especially due process and substantive human rights. It then examines the role of the political branches of government in enacting the statutes and treaties that govern transnational litigation. These three concepts play out in the following chapters: Introductory chapters on jurisdiction in three different senses: personal jurisdiction; prescriptive jurisdiction (especially extraterritoriality); and federal subject-matter jurisdiction. A chapter on foreign sovereigns as litigants, concerned with sovereign immunity and the act of state doctrine. Two chapters on procedure in pending cases, one on service of process and discovery, and another on parallel proceedings, concerned with forum non conveniens, stays, and anti-suit injunctions. Two final chapters addressed to the resolution of disputes, through recognition of foreign judgments and enforcement of arbitration agreements and awards.

An International Court of Civil Justice would give victims of multinationals a day in court while offering corporate defendants a cheaper, fairer litigation alternative.

A desk reference for lawyers and their clients faced with the prospect of litigation in foreign jurisdictions, this book is a guide to the civil procedure rules and practices in thirty-two major countries and in the European Community. Local rules relating to arbitration and, where available, mediation are also covered.