Since the fourth edition of this book was published in 2005 there have been several developments with a direct bearing on its subject. A new administration in the United States, the growing influence of China in the world and political developments in Africa and Europe all have a significant impact on the activity of both the United Nations and regional organisations. The World Trade Organization, already an established player in 2005, has maintained its prominence, and its arrangements for dispute settlement continue to be widely used. The complex system set up by the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention has been slowly consolidated as cases have been taken to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or to arbitration, while the International Court of Justice is busier now than at any previous time in its history. It must, of course, also be noted that solutions to such long-standing international problems as Cyprus, Kashmir and Israel/Palestine seem as far away as ever, reminding us, yet again, of the distance to be travelled, if institutional provisions for dealing with the most serious disputes and situations are to be effective.

The aim of this new edition is to examine the techniques and institutions available to states for the peaceful settlement of disputes, taking full account of recent developments. Chapters 1 to 4 examine the so-called ‘diplomatic’ means of settlement: negotiation, where matters are entirely in the hands of the parties, then mediation, inquiry and conciliation, in each of which outside assistance is utilised.