Justice Scalia and the Role of Foreign Law

Justice Scalia and the Role of Foreign Law
Justice Scalia and the Role of Foreign Law

Justice Scalia and the Role of Foreign Law

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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had strong opinions about whether foreign or international law had any relevance for the Supreme Court. In a speech at George Mason University School of law he lamented the fact that some of his fellow judges were looking to foreign laws as they weighed their own decisions. In that particular speech he said foreign laws can “never, never be relevant to the meaning of the U.S. Constitution.” He sparred frequently with Justice Stephen G. Breyer on this issue. We talk about Scalia’s views of international law and international treaties with Duncan Hollis, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law at Temple University School of Law. Guest: Duncan Hollis is an associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law at Temple University School of Law.