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10 February 2021 / Khawar Qureshi KC
Issue: 7920 / Categories: Features , Public , International justice
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Public international law: 2020 in review

38903
Khawar Qureshi QC provides an overview of the key public international law cases before the English courts in 2020
  • EU treaty and ICSID treaty obligations.
  • The scope of diplomatic immunity.
  • The English courts’ approach to International Court of Justice advisory opinions.
  • Recognition of foreign heads of state.
  • UN and EU sanctions issues.
  • The ‘commercial exception’ to state immunity.

In 2020, there were 31 reported cases involving issues of public international law. The main themes were the scope of diplomatic immunity, the operation of the ‘commercial exception’ to state immunity pursuant to the State Immunity Act 1978 (SIA 1978), and cases relating to the interpretation of UN/EU economic sanctions, as well as the approach of the English court to International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinions. There was also a highly politically charged dispute concerning the recognition of the head of a foreign state.

EU treaty & ICSID treaty obligations

In the case of Micula and others v Romania (European Commission intervening)

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—four appointments

Birketts—four appointments

Firm expands partnership with four lateral hires across key practice areas

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Commercial law firm announces appointment of corporate partner

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Partner joins corporate and finance practice in British Virgin Islands

NEWS
Serial sperm donor Robert Albon has lost his bid for a declaration of paternity, ‘on the ground that to grant it would manifestly be contrary to public policy’
The government is considering wholesale reform of consumer class actions—the ‘opt-out’ collective claims certified by the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT)
A ‘sophisticated suspected fraud’ may have taken place at PM Law involving the improper removal and misuse of about £39.5m of client funds, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) will invest in technology to catch tech-reliant fraudsters and handle voluminous case materials
Law firms enjoyed rapid growth in 2025, according to a Financial Benchmarking Survey, published by the Law Society last week
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