Satow's Diplomatic Practice, 8th Edition

First published in 1917, Satow's Diplomatic Practice has long been hailed as a classic and authoritative text. An indispensable guide for anyone working in or studying the field of diplomacy, this eighth edition builds on the extensive revisions in the sixth and seventh editions. The volume provides an enlarged and updated section on the history of diplomacy, the exponential growth in multilateral diplomatic efforts, and transformations in the corpus of international diplomatic law since the end of the Cold War. This eighth edition further offers a new chapter on recent developments and challenges of modern diplomacy, particularly in light of the increasing importance of China, and the shock to the international system administered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The book also traces the substantial expansion in numbers both of sovereign states and international and regional organizations, and features detailed chapters on diplomatic privileges and immunities, diplomatic missions, as well as consular matters, treatymaking and conferences. The volume also examines alternative forms of diplomacy, from the work of NGOs to the use of secret envoys, and interrogates the interaction between intelligence agencies and commercial security firms. It also discusses the impact of international terrorism and other violent non-state actors on the life and work of a diplomat. Finally, in recognition of the speed of changes in the field over the last twenty years, it includes updated chapters on human rights and public/digital diplomacy by experts in their respective fields.

1 - Diplomacy - A Short History
2 - Good and Bad Diplomacy
3 - Contemporary Diplomatic Challenges
4 - Introduction to International Law
5 - The State: Its Concept as a Legal Person in International Law
6 - Functions of Diplomatic Missions and Consulates
7 - Diplomatic Communication
8 - Formal Aspects of Diplomatic Relations: Precedence among Heads of State and States, Selection, Agrément, Precedence among Heads of Mission, Chargés d Affaires, Credentials, Full Powers for Heads of Mission
9 - The Diplomatic Mission, The Corps, Breach of Relations, and Protection of Interests
10 - Terrorism and Diplomacy
11 - Immunities of the State, its Agencies, The Head of State, AND State Officials
12 - Privileges and Immunities of Diplomatic Missions
13 - Privileges and Immunities of Diplomatic Agents
14 - Consuls: Appointment, Functions and Status
15 - Consular Access and Protection
16 - Special Missions
17 - Theory and Practice of Multilateral Diplomacy
18 - Human Rights and Diplomacy
19 - The United Nations - I the Charter and its Operation
20 - The United Nations - II Specialized Agencies, Funds and Programmes, Regional Commissions, and Special Bodies
21 - The G8/G7, G20, BRICS, WTO, OECD, IMF, and the World Bank
22 - The European Union - I Development, Structure, and Decision-Making
23 - The European Union II External Relations
24 - Other International and Regional Organizations - Commonwealth, NATO, Council of Europe, OAS, AU, ASEAN, CIS, Francophonie, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Gulf Cooperation Council, OSCE, Quad, SCO
25 - Public and Digital Diplomacy
26 - Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs)
27 - Secret or Back-Channel Diplomacy, Secret Intelligence, Religious and other Unconventional Diplomatic Actors
28 - International Conferences
29 - Treaties and other International Instruments - I General Definition, Treaty Formalities
30 - Treaties and other International Instruments - II Treaty, Convention, Agreement, Protocol
31 - Treaties and other International Instruments - III Pact, Act, Modus Vivendi, Declaration, Exchange of Notes, Memorandum of Understanding
32 - Treaties and other International Instruments - IV Ratification, Accession, Acceptance and Approval, Treaty Succession
33 - Treaties and other International Instruments - V Interpretation, Reservations, Termination, The Effect of War, IUS Cogens
34 - Prevention and Management of Conflict and Settlement of Disputes
35 - Courts and Arbitral Tribunals: The International Court of Justice and Other Binding Means of Dispute Settlement
36 - Prosecutions - The International Criminal Court and other Tribunals
37 - Advice To Diplomats

Sir Ivor Roberts entered the Diplomatic Service in 1968. From 1989 to 1993 he was Minister in the British Embassy in Madrid. He was appointed Chargé d'Affaires and Consul-General in Belgrade in March 1994, and after recognition of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by the United Kingdom, he became Ambassador. During his time in Belgrade he conducted negotiations on behalf of the international mediators (Lord Owen and Carl Bildt) with both the Yugoslav authorities and the Bosnian Serbs. From January 1998 to February 1999 he was on sabbatical as a Senior Associate Member of St Antony's College, Oxford, writing and lecturing on his experiences in Yugoslavia. From February 1999 to March 2003 he served as British Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and from May 2003 to September 2006 as Ambassador to Italy. He retired from the Diplomatic Service in September 2006 on his election as President of Trinity College Oxford. He retired from this latter post in 2017.