Foreign State Immunity In Commercial Transactions

In this insightful book, Katherine Reece Thomas explores the constantly evolving nature of state immunity, providing a nuanced analysis of the tension between private and public law. The current rules on the commercial activity exception to state immunity are examined, in both international and domestic law settings, using recent case studies from key jurisdictions including the UK and the US.

Xiaodong Yang examines the issue of jurisdictional immunities of States and their property in foreign domestic courts.

The author shows through a careful analysis of the law that restrictive immunity does not have vox populi in developing countries, and that it lacks usus. He also argues that forum law, i.e. the lex fori is a creature of sovereignty and between equals before the law, only what is understood and acknowledged as law among states must be applied in as much as the international legal system is horizontal.

The doctrine of state immunity bars national courts from adjudicating or enforcing claims against foreign states. This updated edition of this book provides a thorough analysis of the doctrine, explores high-profile cases, the UN Convention on the Jurisdictional Immunities of States, and provides comparative coverage of UK and US State practice.

The immunity or exemption enjoyed by States from legal proceedings before foreign national courts is a crucial area of international law. On the basis of an exhaustive analysis of judicial decisions, international treaties, national legislation, government statements, deliberations in international organisations as well as scholarly opinion, Xiaodong Yang traces the historical development of the relevant doctrine and practice, critically analyses the rationale for restrictive immunity and closely inspects such important exceptions to immunity as commercial transactions, contracts of employment, tortious liability, separate entities, the enforcement of judgments, waiver of immunity and the interplay between State immunity and human rights. The book draws a full picture of the law of State immunity as it currently stands and endeavours to provide useful information and guidance for practitioners, academics and students alike.

In State Immunity and Arbitration the author explores the limits of the concept of State Immunity as it relates to both jurisdiction and execution against state property in arbitration cases. The current scope of state immunity from jurisdiction is examined with reference to legislative and jurisprudential developments in the US and UK where the author finds evidence of a definite shift away from the traditional restrictive theory of state immunity. A similar survey of state practice relating to waiver, both express and implied, of immunity from jurisdiction and the relevant rules of arbitration institutions such as the ICC also illustrate a trend towards shrinking immunity.

Ours is a world in which the volume of the external trade of the vast majority of nations has greatly expanded and continues to be on the rise. Transnational intercourse of all kinds is now a feature of an interdependent world economy in which no nation can afford to stand aloof from a market-place which has assumed global dimensions. It is also a world where many nations, and not only of the Socialist bloc, conduct some of their transnational business themselves, or else they entrust it to state-owned cor porations and to agencies of the state. In these circumstances it becomes of prime importance to know whether a foreign state or an agency or instrumentality thereof can be sued before the local courts and, if so, whether the final judgement obtained can be enforced against the funds or property of the judgement debtor. The question of the immunity of states from suit and from execution is thus one of direct practical relevance not only to the legal profession but also to governments and the business and banking communities all over the world. The economic effects of a particular legal stand on state immunity are obvious. The position of national courts on state immunity can either attract more business or discourage further dealings with foreign states or their agencies. It can thus affect the balance of payments and, in general, the role the country plays in the world market.