Piracy

Piracy offers a clear and authoritative account of the contemporary law of piracy, challenging the widespread assumption that its significance lies in its historical origins. Instead, it demonstrates how piracy law functions as a practical and adaptable legal framework that enables states to cooperate in suppressing maritime violence beyond territorial jurisdiction without requiring uniform responses or supranational institutions. Examining the historical development of piracy law alongside its modern treaty foundations, the book explains how the regime balances legal certainty with operational flexibility. It explores the core elements of the offence, questions of jurisdiction, and enforcement powers, while showing how states have employed diverse approaches, including naval operations, information-sharing, regional prosecutions, and capacity-building initiatives. By focusing on the law as it exists today, the book provides a rigorous analysis of what piracy law can achieve, why it has remained resilient across different political and institutional contexts, and the limits of its application in addressing contemporary maritime challenges.