Out of the Shadows: An Appreciation of Sir Elihu Lauterpacht’s Contribution to the Doctrine of International Law

Sir Elihu Lauterpacht’s contribution to the doctrine of international law was wide—ranging and incisive, but has been overshadowed by his achievements as a consummate practitioner. This essay attempts to redress the balance by focusing on two areas of his published work—the law of international organisations, and international arbitral and judicial proceedings—which contain ideas and analytical approaches worthy of (re)consideration. These two themes are closely inter–linked in his work through a focus on the significance of the international judicial process in the development of the law of international organisations, and by the recognition that international tribunals are themselves international organisations.