Political Libels

These essays are concerned with the legal and constitutional issues surrounding the Pinochet case and are aimed at all those, whether lawyers or non-lawyers, with an interest in the House of Lords’ decision and its implications. The introduction provides a calendar of events and considers the interaction between the courts and the Home Secretary in the extradition process. Thereafter, the book is divided into two parts. The first part critically assesses the suitability of the House of Lords, in the light of Pinochet, as the final court of appeal for constitutional and political cases. Part Two focuses on the wider, international implications. It considers the concept of justice in relation to Pincohet, the internationalization of criminal justice and its conflict with the freedom of states to grant national amnesties, and the decision of the House of Lords to refuse Pinochet, as a former head of state, immunity from prosecution. The three House of Lords judgments on Pinochet are included in an Annex to the essays, enabling the readers to make instance reference to the cases.