The Law of Consular Access: A Documentary Guide

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of litigation at the international and domestic levels concerning consular access for foreign nationals charged with a criminal offence. The issue has complicated relations between countries, with the majority of litigation involving the United States, which has adopted a restrictive view of the consular access obligation.

This book brings together for the first time relevant documentary sources on the law of consular access. The book includes significant excerpts alongside commentary on the documents, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. While presenting information on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the book presents other sources, including bilateral consular agreements, multilateral treaties, and key court cases from various jurisdictions. Many of these sources are not readily accessible.

The Law of Consular Access will be of interest to scholars of international law, human rights, and international relations. It will also be of interest to private and government lawyers, as well as diplomats and consuls.

John Quigley is the President's Club Professor of Law at the Michael E. Moritz College of Law, the Ohio State University, USA.

William J. Aceves is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at California Western School of Law, USA.

S. Adele Shank is a criminal law practitioner specializing in the defense of capital cases, and has represented the European Union in its amicus briefs to the Supreme Court of the United States, regarding consular access.