Esmé Shirlow is an Associate Professor at the Australian National University (ANU). She has served as an assistant to a number of investment treaty tribunals, and advises parties to investment treaty claims and in proceedings before the International Court of Justice. Prior to joining the ANU, she worked in the Australian Government's Office of International Law. Dr. Shirlow completed her PhD as a Dickson Poon Scholar at King's College London, for which she was awarded the King's Elsevier Outstanding PhD Thesis Prize. She completed her LL.M. at the University of Cambridge, where she was awarded – among other prizes – the BRD Clarke Prize for Best Overall Performance in the LL.M., the Clive Parry Prize for Best Result in International Law, and the Whewell Scholarship in International Law.
'Dr Shirlow's ground-breaking study of multiple dispute settlement mechanisms combines empirical, inductive and comparative inquiries to shine light on the diverse ways in which deference operates in international courts and tribunals, deepening our appreciation of particular institutions and providing rich comparisons among institutions and over time.' Joan Donoghue, International Court of Justice 'Deference is one of those rare concepts that are as pervasive as they are difficult to chart, not only conceptually or phenomenologically, but legally. Dr Shirlow has cracked this intractable equation with impressive analytical distance and great pragmatism. Her study is an important contribution from both a theoretical and a practical perspective.' Jorge. E. Vinuales, Professor of Law and Environmental Policy, University of Cambridge 'Judging at the Interface is a sophisticated and comprehensive analysis ... not just about competing theoretical approaches, but also about broader concepts of authority over disputes, the legitimate role of domestic and international systems in their resolution and, ultimately, the relationship between law and politics.' Meg Kinnear, Vice President and ICSID Secretary-General, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes 'Dr Shirlow's exceptionally rich study provides fresh thinking on deference's functions and evolution, and comprehensive empirical evidence on deference as an adjudicative practice. Dr Shirlow's tour de force will be the first port of call for anyone concerned with deference in international adjudication. Her book is also a delight to read - highly recommended!' Michael Waibel, Professor of International Law, University of Vienna