The Oxford English Dictionary defines a handbook as a short manual or guide; and this book is intended to be a helpful means of finding out about international law. It is meant to be kept, literally, close at hand, so that when one comes across a problem (perhaps a new area of the law or a new concept or term) one can turn first to it and get a quick answer to questions such as: What is the exclusive economic zone? Who is a refugee? What is the legal regime of Antarctica? How are diplomatic and state immunity confused? What is Palestine? Should one prefer an arbitral tribunal to an international court? What is a Chapter VII resolution? My purpose is to explain international law principles and rules in a clear and concise way. I avoid as far as possible theory and speculation.

Although the book can be read as an introduction to the subject, it is designed to meet the need for a practical guide for those concerned with international law, whether on a regular or occasional basis. In the last century a tremendous amount was written on the subject. General works may be intended rather more for the student. Dealing as they do with the history of international law, its doctrines and intellectual problems, such works do not have enough space to set out the law in detail. That is right.