On the interpretation of treaties : the modern international law as expressed in the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties Ulf Linderfalk

Includes bibliographical references and index

TOC List of contents --
List of abbreviations --
Table of cases --
List of treaties --
1. Introduction --
1.1 Purpose and topic --
1.2 The legal regime for the interpretatation of treaties as a system of rules --
1.3 Basic concepts --
1.4 Method --
1.5 Organisation of work --
1.6 Typographical conventions adhered to --
2. THE CONCEPT OF A RULE OF INTERPRETATION. 2.1 The correct meaning --
2.2 How to determine the correct meaning --
2.3 How to determine the correct meaning (cont'd). 2.4 How to determine the correct meaning (cont'd). 2.5 The concept of a first-order rule of interpretation --
2.6 The concept of a second-order rule of interpretation --
3. USING CONVENTIONAL LANGUAGE ("THE ORDINARY MEANING"). 3.1 Introduction; in particular, regarding the problem caused by social variation in language --
3.2 Regarding the problem caused by social variation in language (cont'd). 3.3 Regarding the problem caused by temporal variation in language --
3.4 Regarding the problem caused by temporal variation in language (cont'd). 3.5 Regarding the problem caused by temporal variation in language (cont'd). 3.6 Conclusions --
4. USING THE CONTEXT: THE "TEXT" OF A TREATY. 4.1 "[T]he text". 4.2 "[T]he text" put to use --
4.3 "[T]he text" put to use: different words and phrases shall (sometimes) be given different meanings --
4.4 "[T]he text" put to use: no logical tautologies --
4.5 Conclusions --
5. USING THE CONTEXT: the elements set out in VCLT ART. 31 § 2 (A) och (B). 5.1 The meaning of subparagraph (a): introduction --
5.2 The meaning of subparagraph (a): "any agreement". 5.3 The meaning of subparagraph (b). 5.4 The "agreement" and the "instrument" put to use --
5.5 Conclusions --
6. Using the context: the elements set out in vclt art --
31 §3. 6.1 Subparagraph (a). 6.2 Subparagraph (b): introduction --
6.3 Subparagraph (b): "any agreement". 6.4 Subparagraph (c): introduction --
6.5 Subparagraph (c): "applicable". 6.6 The elements put to use --
6.7 Conclusions --
7. Using the object and purpose. 7.1 On the meaning of "object and purpose" in general --
7.2 "[O]bject and purpose" --
one concept or two? --
Moreover, regarding the variation of an object and purpose over time --
7.3 Treaties with several objects and purposes --
7.4 The "object and purpose" put to use --
7.5 The "object and purpose" put to use (cont'd). 7.6 Conclusions --
8. Using the supplementary means of interpretation --
8.1 The meaning of "supplementary means of interpretation". 8.2 "[T]he preparatory work of the treaty". 8.3 "[T]he circumstances of [the treaty's] conclusion". 8.4 Other supplementary means of interpretation: ratification work --
8.5 Other supplementary means of interpretation: treaties in pari materia --
8.6 Other supplementary means of interpretation: the context --
8.7 The "supplementary means of interpretation" put to use --
8.8 Conclusions --
9 Using the supplementary means of interpretation (cont'd). 9.1 The rule of restrictive interpretation --
9.2 The principle of contra proferentem --
9.3 Exceptions shall be narrowly interpreted --
9.4 The rule of necessary implication --
9.5 Interpretation per analogiam --
9.6 Interpretation per argumentum a fortiori --
9.7 Interpretation per argumentum e contrario --
9.8 The principle of ejusdem generis --
9.9 Other claimed rules of interpretation --
10. The relationships between different means of interpretation --
10.1 The relationship between primary and supplementary means of interpretation: an introduction --
10.2 The relationship between primary and supplementary means of interpretation: the second-order rule as a conclusive reason or as a reason pro tanto --
10.3 The expression "ambiguous or obscure". 10.4 The expression "leads to a result which is manifestly absurd or unreasonable". 10.5 The expression "leads to a result which is manifestly absurd or unreasonable" (cont'd). 10.6 The expression "leads to a result which is manifestly absurd or unreasonable" (cont'd). 10.7 The relationship between primary means of interpretation and supplemenatry me. Of interpretation, respectively --
10.8 Conclusions --
11. The special rule regarding the interpretation of treaties authenticated in two or more languages --
11.1 General observations on the methods of reconciliation --
11.2 Regarding the method described in VCLT art --
33 § 4. 11.3 Regarding the method described in VCLT art --
33 § 4 (cont'd). 11.4 Conclusions --
12. Reflecting on the outcome: International law on a scale between radical legal skepticism and the one-right-answer thesis --
12.1 Determining the contents of the means of interpretation --
12.2 Establishing relationships assumed in the rules of interpretation --
12.3 Resolving conflicts occurring in the application of the first-order rules of interpretation --
Annex --
List of sources.

This book offers a comprehensive account of the modern international law of treaty interpretation expressed in 1969 Vienna Convention, Articles 31-33. It develops a model that gives representation to the concept of a rule of interpretation.

law

Sagar Shahanawaz