The Attitude of International Judicial Institutions Regarding the Doctorin of Margin of Appreciation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 . PhD in International Law, University of Science and Research, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Branch, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/law.2024.59437.3345

Abstract

The margin of appreciation is one of the most controversial means in international law for making a balance between complying with international order and exercising the sovereignty of states. Whereas the promotion of world order requires that states avoid, as far as possible, discretionary and arbitrary measures, their increasing tendency toward the application of international requirements needs to vouchsafe certain degrees of appreciation. However, there is some ambiguity in its conditions and its scope. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, this research has considered the attitude of certain international and regional dispute settlement bodies, including the International Court of Justice, WTO dispute settlement body, International Criminal Court, European Court of Human Rights, and European Court of Justice about various dimensions of this matter. The research concluded that despite the of variety viewpoints among dispute settlement bodies and international tribunals, there is approximately a similar approach to them as a whole. But it isn’t concluded that the margin of appreciation is the same in all international law fields.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Jurisprudence and Islamic Law
Volume 15, Issue 36
November 2025
Pages 111-140

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