Towards a Rules-Based Community: An ASEAN Legal Service

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.

• Analyses the development of ASEAN with respect to the making of rules and settlement of disputes: gives readers an understanding of 'the ASEAN way' and how this impacts on ASEAN's ambition to become a rules-based community respecting the rule of law
• Documents the practice of ASEAN in negotiating agreements and settling disputes: insider view from one of the authors who is a diplomat and former attorney-general of an ASEAN member state
• Makes recommendations on the functions and structure of an ASEAN legal service: draws heavily on the authors' practical experiences as a former attorney-general of an ASEAN member state and a former head of a legal service of the European Council