This book was originally submitted as a doctoral dissertation to Leiden University and defended in June 2022. I am most grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported me in the pursuit of the dissertation. Particular gratitude goes to my supervisor, Professor Niels Blokker, for his continual mentorship and intellectual stimulation, dating back to our days at the International Law Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. I would also like to sincerely thank the members of the Doctorate Committee for their time and thoughtful consideration.
In conducting this study, I have benefited tremendously from discussions with colleagues and friends. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Brooks Daly, Juliette Luycks, Alejo Mattaar, Guénaël Mettraux, Miša Zgonec-Rožej and Marten Zwanenburg. I am grateful to Samantha Tirthdas van der Kleij, who provided editorial assistance with the manuscript.
I am indebted to my successive employers during this study: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands granted PhD ‘seed time’ and PhD leave when I began the study; and the International Criminal Court granted a leave of absence for the final stretch. I would also like to thank the t.m.c. Asser Instituut for welcoming me as a visiting researcher at an early stage.
I am most thankful for the support of my mother, and my father in spirit, and for the encouragement and interest of my sister and brother, my late stepfather, and my extended family in the Netherlands, Ireland and England.
Throughout this process, I have been inspired by Emma and Jules, who have shown great patience and curiosity. And to Barbara, I am forever grateful for her constant encouragement, loving support and critical legal mind.