Legal Advisers in International Organizations

Leuven Global Governance series

Edited by Jan Wouters, Full Professor of International Law and International Organizations, Jean Monnet Chair ad personam EU and Global Governance and Director, Institute for International Law and Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium

This unique book presents an in-depth analysis of the provision of legal advice at international organizations. It elucidates the dual role of legal advisers as representatives of their organization and as international civil servants acting as protectors and promoters of international law.

‘A must-have reference source for truly understanding the challenges and rewards of functioning as a lawyer in an intergovernmental international organization. Drawing on the experiences of lawyers functioning in diverse global and regional organizations, ranging from the UN/WHO/WB to the EU/OSCE and NATO, the reader gains a remarkable sense of how a lawyer’s skills can be used in the context of a particular organization. The stresses and strains of advocating for and achieving consistency, predictability, clarity and precision – a lawyer’s “bread and butter” – within the framework of varied international organizations present fascinating lessons for those interested in learning how the “rule of law” is pursued and maintained in these important organizations.’
– Larry D. Johnson, former UN Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs