Matthew William Saul

Associate Professor - Norwegian Centre for Human Rights
Image of Matthew William Saul
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Visiting address Kristian August gate 17 Domus Juridica 7.etg 0164 Oslo
Postal address Postboks 6706 St Olavs plass 0130 Oslo

Background

Matthew Saul is Associate Professor of Law at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo. He is an international lawyer with expertise in international human rights law, general international law, and international adjudication.

From 2019 until March 2023, Matthew was Associate and then Full Professor of Law at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, teaching human rights, international law, Norwegian constitutional law, and European Economic Area (EEA) law.

Prior to moving to Norway to work as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow on the European Research Council funded project, MultiRights (part of PluriCourts), Matthew was a lecturer at Durham University, UK (2008 – 2013). At Durham, he developed and taught on several undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including public international law, international investment law, European Union constitutional law, intellectual property law, and research methods. Matthew successfully defended his PhD on the topic of international law and post-conflict reconstruction (supervised by Prof. Nigel D. White) at the University of Sheffield in 2009.

Matthew’s research often deals with themes that sit at the intersection between international law and politics. He is currently working on the role of local authorities/municipalities in the international human rights system.

He has previously focused on the interaction between the European Court of Human Rights and national parliaments. His edited volume (with Follesdal and Ulfstein), The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond, CUP 2017, was included by the Editor-in-Chief of the EJIL in his top ten list of good reads from 2017. His article on the European Court of Human Right's Margin of Appreciation and the Processes of National Parliaments was published in the Human Rights Law Review (OUP) in 2015. His article, Shaping Legislative Processes from Strasbourg, was published in the European Journal of International Law (2021).

Matthew has also worked on the interplay between post-conflict reconstruction policy and international law. He published an edited volume (with Sweeney) on International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy (Routledge, 2015) (see review in the ICLQ, blog symposium at International Law Observer). His monograph on Popular Governance of Post-Conflict Reconstruction was published by Cambridge University Press in 2014 (see review in New York University Journal of International Law and Politics). His working paper on International Law and the Legitimacy of Interim Governments was published as part of the ESIL SSRN Conference Paper Series, and a revised version was published in International Law and Transitional Governance (2020). He is the co-editor of the Routledge book series Post-Conflict Law and Justice. He is the author of an Expert opinion on denial of the right to self-determination in the context of prolonged occupation, and legal consequences thereof (commissioned by Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Resource Centre in Jerusalem, June 2019).

Matthew's research is available on his SSRN Page, his Academia.edu page, or his ResearchGate page.

Tags: Human Rights, International Law

Publications

Books: monograph

• Saul, M. (2014). Popular Governance of Post-Conflict Reconstruction: The Role of International LawCambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law  Cambridge University Press.

Books: edited

• Saul, M. & Follesdal, A. & Ulfstein, G. (2017). The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Cambridge University Press.

• Saul, M. & Sweeney, J. A. (2015). International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Abingdon: Routledge.

• French, D., Saul, M. & White, N. D. (2010). International Law and Dispute Settlement: New Problems and Techniques. Studies in International Law 28. Oxford: Hart.

Books: sections

• Saul, M. (2021). The Right to Self-Determination and the Prolonged Occupation of Palestinian Territory in Gentian Zyberi (ed.), Protecting Community Interests through International Law 2021

• Saul, M. (2020). Legitimising Transitional Authorities Through the International Law of Self-Determination. In International Law and Transitional Governance. In De Groof, E. H. D., & Wiebusch, M. (eds.) Routledge. 

• Saul, M. (2017). Conclusion: How Does, Could and Should the International Human Rights Judiciary Interact with National Parliaments? In The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Saul, M., Follesdal, A. & Ulfstein, G. (eds.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

• Saul, M. (2017). How and When Can the International Human Rights Judiciary Promote the Human Rights Role of National Parliaments? In The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Saul, M., Follesdal, A. & Ulfstein, G. (eds.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

• Saul, M. & Follesdal, A., Ulfstein, G.  (2017). Introduction. In The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Saul, M., Follesdal, A. & Ulfstein, G. (eds.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

• Saul, M. (2017). The Practice of Shared Responsibility in Relation to Internationally Administered Territories. In The Practice of Shared Responsibility in International Law. Nollkaemper, P. A., Plakokefalos, I. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

• Saul, M. (2014). Conclusion: Towards a Fuller Understanding of the Foundations, Practice, and Future of the Role of International Law in Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. In Saul, M. & Sweeney, J. A. (2015). International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Abingdon: Routledge. 295 – 311.

• Saul, M. & Sweeney, J. A. (2014). Introduction. In Saul, M. & Sweeney, J. A. (2015). International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Abingdon: Routledge. 1 – 20.

• Saul, M. (2014). International Law and the Identification of an Interim Government to Lead Post-Conflict Reconstruction. In Saul, M. & Sweeney, J. A. (2015). International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Abingdon: Routledge.

• Saul, M. (2014). Creating Popular Governments in Post-Conflict Situations: The Role of International Law. In  Jus Post Bellum. Stahn, C., Easterday, J. S., and Iverson, J. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Saul, M. & White, N. D. (2010). Legal Means of Dispute Settlement in the Field of Collective Security: The Quasi-Judicial Powers of the Security Council. In International Law and Dispute Settlement: New Problems and Techniques. French, D., Saul, M. & White, N. D. Oxford: Hart. 191 - 224.

• Saul, M. (2010). The Impact of the Legal Right to Self-Determination on the Law of Occupation as a Framework for Post-Conflict State Reconstruction. In International Law and Armed Conflict: Challenges in the 21st Century. Quenivet, N. & Shah, S. The Hague: T.M.C Asser Press. 398-416.

Journal articles:

• Saul, M. (2021). Shaping Legislative Processes from Strasbourg. European Journal of International Law. 32 (1) 281 - 308.

• Saul, M. (2016). Structuring evaluations of parliamentary processes by the European Court of Human Rights. The International Journal of Human Rights. 1077 – 1096.

• Saul, M. (2015). The European Court of Human Right's Margin of Appreciation and the Processes of National Parliaments. Human Rights Law Review 15 (4) 745 - 774.

• Saul, M. (2014). Identifying Jus Cogens Norms: The Interaction of Scholars and International Judges. Asian Journal of International Law 26 – 54.

• Saul, M. (2012). Local Ownership of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda: Restorative and Retributive Effects. International Criminal Law Review 12: 427 - 456.

• Saul, M. (2012). The Search for an International Legal Concept of Democracy: Lessons from the Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Sierra Leone. Melbourne Journal of International Law 13(1): 540 - 568.

• Saul, M. (2011). Local Ownership of Post-Conflict Reconstruction in International Law: The Initiation of International Involvement. Journal of Conflict and Security Law 16(1): 165-206.

• Saul, M. (2011). The Normative Status of Self-Determination in International Law: A Formula for Uncertainty in the Scope and Content of the Right?. Human Rights Law Review 11(4): 609-644.

• Saul, M. (2009). From Haiti to Somalia: The Assistance Model and the Paradox of State Reconstruction in International Law. International Community Law Review 11(1): 119–148.

Books: reviews

• Saul, M. (2021) State Renaissance for Peace: Transitional Governance under International Law. Journal of Conflict and Security Law, 26(2), 458–461

• Saul, M. (2017) On Fantasy Island: Britain, Europe, and Human Rights. Nordic Journal of Human Rights, 35(2), 162–163

• Saul, M. (2016). The Transformation of Occupied Territory in International Law. Journal of Peace Research

• Saul, M. (2013). Hierarchy in International Law: The Place of Human Rights. Human Rights Law Review 13(1): 201 - 205.

• Saul, M. (2012). On the Frontlines: Gender, War, and the Post-Conflict Process. Nordic Journal of International Law 81(2): 254 - 257.

• Saul, M. (2011). The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: A World Study on Conflicts, Victimisation, and Post-Conflict Justice edited by M. Cherif Bassiouni, Mortsel Intersentia, 2010. International Criminal Law Review 11: 177-179.

• Saul, M. (2007). Joint review of Towards an International Legal Community? The Sovereignty of States and the Sovereignty of International Law; and, Towards World Constitutionalism, Issues in the Legal Ordering of the World Community. European Journal of International Law 18: 213-219.

• Saul, M. (2007). Review of Constitutionalism, Multilevel Trade Governance and Social Regulation. British Yearbook of International Law 78: 492-494.

• Saul, M. (2007). Review of Post-Conflict Reconstruction: Nation-and/or State-Building. Leiden Journal of International Law 20: 321-324.

• Saul, M. (2006). Review of Unlawful Territorial Situations in International Law – Reconciling Effectiveness, Legality and Legitimacy. Journal of Conflict and Security Law 11: 300-303.

Other media: Research

• Saul, M (2020). Koronaloven for NIRI-studenter! Obiter-Dictum

• Saul, M (2016). Response to Başak Çali’s ESIL Reflection: The Disciplinary Account of the Authority of International Law EJIL: Talk! (May 12th, 2016)

• Saul, M (2016). Strasbourg Case Law and Its Recognition of National Parliamentary Processes when Addressing Human Rights Issues PluriCourts Blog (April 27th, 2016).

• Saul, M (2016). Parrillo v Italy: Parliamentary Process as Proportionality? PluriCourts Blog (January 7th, 2016).

• Saul, M (2014). The Role of Host State Consent in the UK Parliamentary Debate on Air Strikes in Iraq - Fifteeneightyfour: Academic perspectives from Cambridge University Press (December 1st, 2014).

• Saul, M (2014). Towards An International Human Rights Judiciary? MultiRights Blog (February 19th, 2014).

• Saul, M (2012). Occupation Law Symposium: Response by Matthew Saul. Opinio Juris (April 25th, 2012).

• Saul, M (2012). The Functional Approach to the Occupation of the Gaza Strip and the Right to Self-Determination. Opinio Juris (25th April, 2012).

Other media: Newspapers

• Saul, M, Føllesdal, A, and Ulfstein, G Brexit truer menneskerettighetsvern Dagens næringsliv (22. juni 2015).

Other publications: case notes

• Saul, M (2012). Case note: Sierra Leone Telecommunications Co Ltd v Barclays Bank plc, Judgment, (1998) All ER (D) 66. Oxford University Press. Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts

• Saul, M. (2011). Case Note: Amin v Brown, Decision on preliminary question, [2005] EWHC 1670 (Ch) (access to an English court for an Iraqi citizen during the war). Oxford University Press. Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts

• Saul, M. (2010). Case Note: Christian and Others v. The Queen, Appeal judgment, [2006] UKPC 47 (The Pitcairn Island Case). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts

Other publications: conference papers

• Saul, M. (2016), International Law and the Legitimacy of Interim Governments, European Society of International Law (ESIL) 2015 Research Forum (Florence) 

• Saul, M. (2011), Accountability in Internationally Administered Territories and the Impact of a (Post) - Conflict Context on Interdisciplinary Legal Research, Law and Conflict at Durham (LCD) seminar. Durham University.

• Saul, M. (2010). International Law and the Will of the People in Post-Conflict Rebuilding. The Future of Statebuilding: Ethics, Power and Responsibility in International Relations, University of Westminster, London.

  • Saul, Matthew (2021). The Right to Self-Determination and the Prolonged Occupation of Palestinian Territory. In Zyberi, Gentian (Eds.), Protecting Community Interests through International Law. Intersentia. ISSN 9781839701122. p. 218–244.
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). Shaping Legislative Processes from Strasbourg. European journal of international law. ISSN 0938-5428. 32(1), p. 281–308. doi: 10.1093/ejil/chab030.
  • Saul, Matthew (2020). Legitimising transitional authorities through the international law of self-determination. In De Groof, Emmanuel H. D. & Wiebusch, Micha (Ed.), International Law and Transitional Governance: Critical Perspectives. Routledge. ISSN 9780367178109.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2017). Conclusion: How Does, Could and Should the International Human Rights Judiciary Interact with National Parliaments? In Saul, Matthew William; Føllesdal, Andreas & Ulfstein, Geir (Ed.), The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781316874820. p. 353–387. doi: 10.1017/9781316874820.015.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2017). How and When Can the International Human Rights Judiciary Promote the Human Rights Role of National Parliaments? In Saul, Matthew William; Føllesdal, Andreas & Ulfstein, Geir (Ed.), The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781316874820. p. 135–166. doi: 10.1017/9781316874820.007. Full text in Research Archive
  • Saul, Matthew William; Føllesdal, Andreas & Ulfstein, Geir (2017). Introduction. In Saul, Matthew William; Føllesdal, Andreas & Ulfstein, Geir (Ed.), The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781316874820. p. 1–18. doi: https:/doi.org/10.1017/9781316874820.001.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2016). Structuring evaluations of parliamentary processes by the European Court of Human Rights. International Journal of Human Rights. ISSN 1364-2987. 20(8), p. 1077–1096 . doi: 10.1080/13642987.2016.1242314.
  • Saul, Matthew William & Sweeney, James (2015). Introduction. In Saul, Matthew William & Sweeney, James (Ed.), International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Routledge. ISSN 978-1138780118. p. 1–20.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). Conclusion: Towards a Fuller Understanding of the Foundations, Practice, and Future of the Role of International Law in Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. In Saul, Matthew William & Sweeney, James (Ed.), International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Routledge. ISSN 978-1138780118. p. 295–310.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). International Law and the Identification of an Interim Government to Lead Post-Conflict Reconstruction. In Saul, Matthew William & Sweeney, James (Ed.), International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Routledge. ISSN 978-1138780118. p. 23–44.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). The European Court of Human Rights' margin of appreciation and the processes of national parliaments. Human Rights Law Review. ISSN 1461-7781. 15(4), p. 745–774. doi: 10.1093/hrlr/ngv027.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). Creating Popular Governments in Post-Conflict Situations: The Role of International Law. In Stahn, Carsten; Easterday, Jennifer & Iverson, Jens (Ed.), Jus Post Bellum: Mapping the Normative Foundations. Oxford University Press. ISSN 0199685894. p. 447–466. doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199685899.001.0001.

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  • Saul, Matthew William; Føllesdal, Andreas & Ulfstein, Geir (2017). The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments: Europe and Beyond. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781316874820. 403 p.
  • Saul, Matthew William & Sweeney, James (2015). International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Routledge. ISBN 978-1138780118. 354 p.
  • Sweeney, James & Saul, Matthew William (2015). International Law and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy. Routledge. ISBN 1138780111. 322 p.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). Popular Governance of Post-Conflict Reconstruction: The Role of International Law. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107055315. 288 p.

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  • Saul, Matthew William (2023). Legitimacy, backlash and interpretative methodology.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2023). EMPOWERING LOCAL GOVERNANCE: A DIALOGUE ON ECtHR JUDGMENT EXECUTION (Roundtable Participant).
  • Saul, Matthew (2022). International Law in a Nutshell – Introduction to Human Rights Law.
  • Saul, Matthew (2022). Legitimacy and interpretative methodology.
  • Saul, Matthew (2022). Local Authorities in the Reasoning of the European Court of Human Rights.
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). Human rights in national law and national human rights mechanisms.
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). International law in a nutshell – sovereignty, derogations and limitations.
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). Shaping Legislative Processes from Strasbourg.
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). Book review: State Renaissance for Peace: Transitional Governance under International Law, Emmanuel H. D. De Groof (CUP, 2020). Journal of Conflict and Security Law. ISSN 1467-7954. doi: 10.1093/jcsl/krab008/6276512.
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). The Quality of National Processes for the Execution of Judgments that Require General Measures.
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). Human Rights Judicial Methodology .
  • Saul, Matthew (2021). Shaping Subnational Legislative Processes from Strasbourg.
  • Saul, Matthew (2020). Koronaloven for NIRI-studenter!
  • Saul, Matthew (2020). Connecting Powers to the European Human Rights System.
  • Saul, Matthew (2020). Multi-Level Governance of Human Rights Protection: Lessons from Norway’s Provision of Child Welfare Services.
  • Saul, Matthew (2020). Shaping Legislative Processes from Strasbourg.
  • Saul, Matthew (2019). Discussant: Reasoning with Previous Cases in International Tribunals.
  • Saul, Matthew (2019). Rights-protection as a basic function of the judiciary.
  • Saul, Matthew (2019). Denial of the right to self-determination in the context of prolonged occupation, and legal consequences thereof.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2016). How and When can the International Human Rights Judiciary Promote the Human Rights Role of National Parliaments?
  • Saul, Matthew William (2016). The UN Treaty Bodies and National Parliaments.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2016). The ECtHR and National Parliaments.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2016). Book review: Carcano, Andrea (2015) The Transformation of Occupied Territory in International Law. Leiden: Brill. xxx + 540 pp.​​​​. Journal of Peace Research. ISSN 0022-3433.
  • Føllesdal, Andreas; Saul, Matthew William & Ulfstein, Geir (2016). Brexit truer menneskerettsvern. Dagens næringsliv. ISSN 0803-9372.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). The International Human Rights Judiciary and the Quality of Parliamentary Process.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). International Law and the Legitimacy of Interim Governments.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). The International Human Rights Judiciary and National Parliaments.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). The European Court of Human Rights’ Margin of Appreciation and the Processes of National Parliaments.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). The International Human Rights Judiciary and the Quality of Parliamentary Process.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). International Law and the Legitimacy of Interim Governments.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). What Type of Parliamentary Conduct does the European Court of Human Rights Promote?
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). What Type of Parliamentary Conduct does the European Court of Human Rights Promote?
  • Saul, Matthew William (2015). What type of parliamentary conduct does the European Court on Human Rights promote?
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). National Parliaments in the Reasoning of the European Court of Human Rights.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). The European Court of Human Rights and the Promotion of Parliamentary Mobilization for Human Rights.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). The identification of an interim government to lead post-conflict reconstruction.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). International human rights law and domestic parliaments.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). The Quality of Parliamentary Mobilisation for Human Rights: A Role for the International Human Rights Judiciary?
  • Saul, Matthew William (2014). Transitioning from Conflict: The Role of the International Human Rights Judiciary.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2013). Creating Interim Governments after Conflict: the Role of International Law.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2013). The International Human Rights Judiciary and Domestic Institutions: Interaction as a Source of Democratic Legitimacy?
  • Saul, Matthew William (2013). The Reception of Decisions of International Human Rights Courts at the Domestic Level.
  • Saul, Matthew William (2013). Book review: E. de Wet, and J. Vidmar (eds), Hierarchy in International Law: The Place of Human Rights (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2012. Human Rights Law Review. ISSN 1461-7781. 13(1), p. 201–205.
  • Saul, Matthew (2019). Expert opinion on denial of the right to self-determination in the context of prolonged occupation, and legal consequences thereof. Diakonia.se.

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Published May 9, 2023 1:10 PM - Last modified Oct. 2, 2023 5:05 PM