Julian Arato
@aratojulian.bsky.social
2.5K followers 400 following 59 posts
Professor of Law, University of Michigan International law, trade, investment, contracts, corporations, etc
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aratojulian.bsky.social
The 8th edn of International Law: Cases and Materials is now out: faculty.westacademic.com/Book/Detail?...

The new edition is revised, streamlined, and updated throughout. If you’re already using the book, or thinking about doing so, please reach out! I’m happy to talk through how it’s changed.
Damrosch, Murphy, & Arato, International Law: Cases and Materials (8th edn, 2024)
aratojulian.bsky.social
Check out this vital conference on countering gender apartheid put together by UM’s own @profkarimabennoune.bsky.social

Register in person or on zoom 👇
profkarimabennoune.bsky.social
Join us Thurs SEPT 18 for

"Countering #GenderApartheid with International Law: A Strategic Convening"
@UMichLaw

Public hybrid panels 9AM-1PM ET; 1225 Jeffries Hall
Register for Zoom: tinyurl.com/4xxywu7h

Speakers incl: UN Special Rapporteur on #Afghanistan; Mariam Safi & Malala Yousafzai(video)
aratojulian.bsky.social
Here Miles and Federica discuss the novel and tricky issues of state responsibility in the ICJ Climate Opinion, incl attribution, causation, and multiple responsibility.
Reposted by Julian Arato
verfassungsblog.de
"The most significant development in international climate law since the adoption of the Paris Agreement" 🌍⚖️

MARIA ANTONIA TIGRE, MAXIM BÖNNEMANN, and ANTOINE DE SPIEGELEIR kick off a new joint blog symposium on the ICJ's advisory opinion on climate change.

verfassungsblog.de/the-icj-advi...
Quote: “The opinion’s true legacy may lie not only in its legal conclusions, but in its power to influence political will, guide national courts, and support vulnerable communities seeking justice.”
aratojulian.bsky.social
An inspiring opinion for our challenging times. Law can’t do it all nor can courts. But they can do more than many give them credit for.

Here the ICJ takes the development of climate change law fully seriously. @justinauriburu.bsky.social & I get into the central prob of sources of law below 👇
Reposted by Julian Arato
nicolascs.bsky.social
"‘the standard of due diligence for preventing significant harm to the climate system is stringent’, and requires not only the adoption of appropriate climate rules and measures but also heightened vigilance in their implementation and enforcement"
aratojulian.bsky.social
Same. I know it’s about Ozzy rn (RIP) but that’s a lick for the ages.
Reposted by Julian Arato
profkarimabennoune.bsky.social
Calling #InternationalLaw colleagues everywhere

Please submit panel proposals for the American Society of Intl Law @asilorg.bsky.social‬ 2026 Annual Meeting by

5 PM ET July 28

Our timely topic is "Advancing & Defending the Rule of Law"

tinyurl.com/mpexfthk
1/2
2026 ASIL Annual Meeting | ASIL
tinyurl.com
aratojulian.bsky.social
Some very important conclusions on attribution, plural responsibility, plural invocation, etc., all designed to avoid shrugging off responsibility through gaming the rules of state responsibility (ARSIWA)
aratojulian.bsky.social
I agree. V important.
aratojulian.bsky.social
Sure did. There was a “not necessarily” wiggle room in there but, yes.
aratojulian.bsky.social
And CT seems to have said lack of cooperation re the treaties raises demand on states to demonstrate they are complying with customary IL

Thus custom and treaty exist in a dynamic relationship in operationalization - not just interpretation.

An imp litigation tool, even in national ct litigation
aratojulian.bsky.social
“At the present stage compliance in full and in good faith with the climate change treaties by a court suggests compliance with the customary duties to prevent substantial environmental harm and to cooperate.”

This does not mean, however, that compliance with one will satisfy the other.
aratojulian.bsky.social
Court making the further important point that the climate change treaties and customary IL should be understood as informing each other.

ICJ is doing this in a way as to make both sources more robust, not to read them both down as would also be possible if the court were less serious about this.
aratojulian.bsky.social
Also imp to expound on the customary IL duty to cooperate in this context
aratojulian.bsky.social
Good and strong explanation and deployment of customary international law due diligence obligation (part of duty to prevent) to avoid diffuse causation problems that always plague the legal responsibility for climate change.

And good for the ICJ to flesh out obligation of due diligence pretty far
Reposted by Julian Arato
kovarsky.bsky.social
Annual reminder to younger law faculty that the importance of journal placement (ranking) is VERY exaggerated, with respect to most things that matter to your professional satisfaction and trajectory.

Write something good and let it ride; don't write for placement.
aratojulian.bsky.social
The case covers a lot of ground, often in ways that might surprise international economic lawyers (especially re investment treaty standards).

The full Agora is worth a read.
aratojulian.bsky.social
It was fun writing a piece with with Fernando Lusa Bordin for this Agora on the ICJ’s Certain Iranian Assets judgment.

We focus on the court’s assessment of the juridical status of companies in international law—under the treaty and (implicitly) in general IL.

academic.oup.com/icsidreview/...
Reposted by Julian Arato
bechamilton.bsky.social
It's publication day! It is my fervent hope to see Western legal systems recognize the unassailable reality that human survival & flourishing is inseperable from the well-being of our planet. The ecocide conversation is one place to start: journals.law.harvard.edu/hrj/wp-conte...
journals.law.harvard.edu