Shadow Courts

Praise

“One of those wonderful, short books from Columbia Global Reports.” Slate

“This slim, timely book discusses the history of the provision and the effects that ISDS litigation—a tactic not available to domestic firms—has had on social and environmental legislation and regulation. The version of the ISDS system that has evolved is not likely to withstand close scrutiny.” Foreign Affairs

”The practice, known as Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), is the subject of Shadow Courts, a new book by Haley Sweetland Edwards. It’s a short, vital introduction to its history and use, the shocking ways in which corporations have used it to bend governments to their will, and the total lack of justification for using such mechanisms in developed, stable countries. But perhaps most important, it reveals the bankrupt logic behind its most aggressive employment.” The Week

“Shadow Courts, a new book by Haley Edwards, shows how ISDS threats have strained support for free trade around the world.” Politico

“Edwards does a great service for the public by turning the spotlight of disclosure on this dark corner of international relations.” Kirkus Reviews

“Haley Sweetland Edwards explains the history of global shadow courts and how these courts have spun out of control, threatening the interests of citizens everywhere including in the United States. Her fantastic book is exactly what long-form journalism is meant to do, to move beyond current events and provide historical perspective that aims at future reform. Shadow Courts should be at the top of the reading list of all those interested in redesigning trade agreements to be in the public interest.” Jeffrey D. Sachs, University Professor, Columbia University, author o The End of Poverty

“I read it in one night and felt like underlining every word of every page.” Cathy O’Neil, author of Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy