Towards a Rules-Based Community: An ASEAN Legal Service

The first book to focus in depth on the problems surrounding the lack of an effective ASEAN legal service.

The first book to focus on the need for an effective ASEAN legal service. The evolution of ASEAN, the making of rules and its settling of disputes is analysed, followed by practical recommendations for the function and structure of the legal service, based on the practical experience of the authors.In 2007, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Charter, which stated its ambition to become a 'rules-based' community respecting the rule of law. In order to fulfil this objective, it is vital that the necessary legal infrastructure has effective legal support. This book helps readers to understand the need for and role of such a legal service. To begin with, it explores the way ASEAN and its various institutions have evolved. The current situation with respect to the making of rules and settlement of disputes is then analysed, drawing not only on published primary and secondary materials, but also on the experience of diplomats, officials and legal officers. Finally, the authors draw on their practical experiences, as former attorney-general of an ASEAN member state and former head of the European Council legal service, to make recommendations on how an ASEAN Legal Service might be organised.