Law annotated 2015

Weapons and international law

The arms trade treaty

The Larcier Law Annotated series is a collection of texts, each concerning a specific topic. The purpose of the series is to provide readers with an in-depth overview of particular legal issues. This Law Annotated volume on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a detailed assessment of the negotiation, content, and implementation of the Treaty. The ATT, which entered into force on 24 December 2014, is focused on the regulation of the international trade in conventional arms and the prevention of unlawful uses of such arms as well as the illicit trade and its diversion. The purpose of this publication is to provide a comprehensive commentary to guide officials, diplomats, academics and others in the implementation of the Treaty.

This volume provides a systematic analysis of each article of the Treaty drawing on the negotiating history, providing analysis of the obligations and setting out implementation issues. The book describes the object and purpose of the Treaty, what are the conventional arms, ammunition/munitions and parts and components that are subject to its provisions, the prohibitions and other obligations of States Parties related to imports, exports, transit, trans-shipment, and brokering activities within their jurisdiction. Also addressed are the enforcement and other measures required by the Treaty, and the procedures for international cooperation and assistance.