The past 30 years have seen important legal developments in relation to the immunities and privileges enjoyed by the subjects of international law, not least the enactment in several jurisdictions of detailed legislation on these issues and important decisions of international and domestic courts. At the heart of these developments, claims by States and other persons acting under their authority to immunities and privileges before courts and tribunals are a continuing source of controversy (as evidenced, for example, by the decisions in Pinochet and Al-Adsani). The editors have collected key materials, including international agreements and domestic legislation, concerning the immunities of states, governmental bodies, state owned entities and agents. Focusing on the pioneering legislation in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, this volume will provide detailed commentary on the application of immunities and privileges as well their practical significance for practitioners in both jurisdictions.

any practising lawyer ... who is faced with a state immunity case yet fails to consult this splendid book fails to do so at his or her peril. * Sir Robert Jennings, QC, formerly Whewell Professor of International Law at Cambridge, and formerly Judge and President of the International Court of Justice in The Hague *

Clifford Chance is unique in having a dedicated International Law Group, based in London, comprising lawyers who specialize in all aspects of public and private international law. The Group is frequently consulted on matters of considerable sensitivity, and has substantial experience of managing large and complex cases and of co-ordinating the response of governments, other organizations and entities (both public and private) to them. They represent clients in international claims tribunals in the English courts and in other domestic and regional tribunals, and undertake a wide range of advisory work.