International Law After the Rules Based Order: Legitimacy and Power in a Changing Global System

This session explores how international law is made, contested and enforced as multilateral institutions weaken, major powers selectively engage with norms, and questions grow about the future place and effectiveness of the international legal order.

As multilateral systems face growing strain and institutional legitimacy faces fundamental challenges, the role and relevance of public international law are increasingly uncertain. This session examines how international law is made, contested and enforced when major powers selectively invoke norms and traditional governance anchors such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization lose influence. The discussion considers treaty practice, contested sovereignty, collective security and the potential future for middle powers. It maps the structural challenges confronting international law and asks whether states should rebuild institutions, create new ones or rethink the foundations of global governance.

(Networking breakfast and registration from 08:30am)