Routledge Handbook of International Criminal Law

The Routledge Handbook of International Criminal Law provides a comprehensive examination of the field's evolution, key institutions, substantive crimes, and contemporary challenges. This second edition reflects the transformed landscape of international criminal justice, addressing advances in how international crimes are understood, the role and legitimacy of international criminal law, and its lasting impact on global justice. The Handbook explores both established frameworks and emerging critiques, offering a holistic analysis of how international criminal law operates and affects wider societies.

The new edition captures significant developments including extensive discussion of the International Criminal Court's cases and decisions, the 2018 definition of aggression, the replacement of ad hoc Tribunals by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, and the renewed relevance of universal jurisdiction. The book incorporates critique of the legitimacy and future of international criminal justice, examining how its practice impacts societies globally. This critical approach is reflected throughout, particularly in newly included chapters on ecocide, gender, LGBTQIA+ perspectives, and decolonisation.

With contributions from a diverse group of international authors, including from the Global South, this Handbook is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students, academics, and practitioners seeking to understand the current state and future direction of international criminal law.