The International Rule of Law

The chapter explores the significance of the international rule of law for international conflict and security law. The first part of the chapter investigates how the international rule of law is conceptualised, unpacking its formal and substantive requirements. The second part applies the concept in the context of international conflict and security law, focusing in particular on the implications for the use of lethal force. In doing so, an argument is advanced for the prioritisation of compliance with both formal and substantive requirements of the international rule of law. Necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security, and for the prevention and punishment of international crimes, emphasis is placed on the importance of the international rule of law for the integrity of the international legal order and for the future development of international conflict and security law