This book offers an understanding of the role of international law in the practice of post-conflict reconstruction. It identifies and explores how international legal issues that arise in the post-conflict period relate to a number of strands of the policy debate, including government creation, constitution-making, gender policy, provision of security, justice for past atrocities, rule of law development, economic recovery, returning displaced persons, and responsibilities of international actors. Each chapter not only locates relevant international legal doctrine in the policy debate, but also considers how this law has operated in practice.

Matthew Saul is a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, Norway.

James A. Sweeney is a professor of international law and Lancaster University, UK.

1. Introduction, Matthew Saul and James Sweeney Part 1: Foundational Issues 2. International Law and the Identification of an Interim Government to Lead Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Matthew Saul 3. The Exercise of Governance Authority by International Organisations: The Role of Due Diligence Obligations after Conflict, Aoife O'Donoghue 4. Tailoring Justice for Mass Atrocities: The Constraints of International Law and the ICC's Complementarity Regime, Annika Jones 5. Practicing Women, Peace and Security in Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Aisling Swaine Part 2: Reform Issues 6. Constitution Making and Post Conflict Reconstruction, Catherine Turner and Ruth Houghton 7. 'Security Sector Reform for Human Security: The Role of International Law and Transitional Justice in Shaping More Effective Policy and Practice', Dustin Sharp 8. The International Rule of Law as Trumps: Do International Criminal Trial Responsibilities Impede Realisation of Domestic Rule of Law Priorities?, Padraig McAuliffe 9. Economic Self-Determination in Post-Conflict Reconstruction: The Case Study of Timor-Leste, Lisa Mardikian Part 3: Administration 10. Media in Post-Conflict Transitions: Balancing Protection Against Violence and Freedom of Expression, Antoine Buyse 11. Legal Empowerment and Liberal-Local Peace-Building, Lars Waldorf 12. From IDPs to Victims in Colombia: A Bottom-Up Reading of Law in Post- Conflict Transitions, Kristin Bergtora Sandvik and Julieta Lemaitre 13. Law and Policy on Post-Conflict Restitution, James Sweeney 14. Conclusion: Towards a Fuller Understanding of the Foundations, Practice, and Future of the Role of International Law in Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy, Matthew Saul