The Protection of Unilateral Promises in General International Law and Investment Law (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9789004772939)

When does a State's promise become legally binding? Governments make promises in speeches, diplomatic correspondence, and legislation - but not all create obligations under international law. Distinguishing binding promises from policy statements and political rhetoric is notoriously difficult. This book offers a framework for making that distinction. Drawing on case law, State practice, and scholarship, it asks which criteria determine whether an oral or written promise binds a State vis à vis other States or foreign investors, who has the authority to make such commitments, and when States can walk away from them. It offers a comparative analysis of key concepts in general international law and investment law to identify the principles governing promises across both fields.

Author: Johannes Tropper
ISBN-10: 9004772936
ISBN-13: 9789004772939
Publisher: Brill Nijhoff
Language: English
Published: 11/19/2026
Pages: 532
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 2.07lbs
Size: 9.25h x 6.10w x 1.19d