Increasing maritime terrorism creates disputes between states, which necessitates a judicial framework for the settlement of those disputes. Maritime Terrorism and the Role of Judicial Institutions in the International Legal Order provides an up-to-date and comprehensive examination of that framework. Although there are some books that discuss broader issues related to law and maritime security, this book offers a very readable global perspective on the legal regulation of maritime terrorism.

The organization of the book allows the reader to easily follow the context, development, and capacities of the stakeholders concerned. Its six chapters address the current context related to maritime terrorism and the international legal framework regarding this terrorism, and critically evaluate the challenges and opportunities presented by this framework to settle vertical, transnational, and horizontal disputes arising from maritime terrorism.

The international judicial framework for combating maritime terrorism is concerned primarily with prosecuting offenders and settling maritime disputes. This book covers both of these aims, as it considers the framework not only as a means of settling disputes, but also as a source of international judicial institution building. It explicates the challenges and intricacies faced by national and international court systems when dealing with several parties affected by maritime terrorism, and the practical implementation of the relevant international norms.

The final chapter provides thoughtful and well-researched suggestions as to how judicial institutions in the international legal order can effectively combat maritime terrorism. Dr Saiful Karim, an established researcher in the domain of maritime law, concludes that international law has not been implemented within the domestic arena properly; that national courts can play a vital role in safeguarding human rights during the process of detention and prosecution of suspected maritime terrorists; that judicial institutions may play an important role in providing remedies to individual victims of maritime terrorism; and that state responsibility may arise from a range of issues including the coastal, flag, interfering, and aiding states’ responsibility.

These contentions adequately focus on the areas that require judicial attention in combating maritime terrorism. Although challenging, they are sound and based on thorough research. They should ultimately create a sense of optimism because the author suggests that international law will likely evolve further to accommodate security interests. In the fight against maritime terrorism, this book proposes co-ordinated efforts by states so that judicial institutions may operate effectively to achieve this goal.