How (Not) to Be Cynical in International Law

Ian Johnstone and Steven Ratner (eds.), Talking International Law: Legal Argumentation Outside the Courtroom, Oxford University Press, 2021, 368pp, £80.00

“…20 This question is unfortunately not directly addressed by any other contribution, but there is some sense that others would disagree. The reality of cynical uses and abuses of legal arguments 21 is just one challenge to her optimistic take. The example of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw using legal arguments to reject Michael Wood's legal advice, in which he considered the use of force against Iraq illegal, comes to mind.…”