ABSTRACT

Debates about the meaning of ‘evolutionary interpretation’ reveal the existence of two conflicting views. Some see evolutionary interpretation as an inevitable step in the ordinary process of applying fixed written language to changing reality. Others see it as a means for interpreters—and, crucially, adjudicators—to update the agreement being applied, infusing into the text the interpreter’s view of what would be a desirable development of the relevant provisions. Benefitting from the views expounded and decisions collected by the authors of Evolutionary Interpretation and International Law, edited by Georges Abi-Saab, Kenneth Keith, Gabrielle Marceau, and Clément Marquet (Hart 2020), this piece investigates two core questions that run through debates regarding evolutionary interpretation. First is the question of what is meant by evolutionary interpretation, whether an unavoidable step in the norm application process or a decision to develop obligations beyond their original scope. Second is the question of the distinctive role of adjudicators, i.e. of whether evolutionary interpretation is a tool used by adjudicators to exercise authority over the legal framework being applied, bypassing the constraints of the consent-based international rule-making system.

中文翻译：

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隐藏的意义：规范应用与渐进发展之间的进化解释

摘要

关于“进化解释”含义的争论揭示了两种相互矛盾的观点的存在。有些人将进化解释视为将固定文字应用于不断变化的现实的普通过程中的必然步骤。其他人则将其视为口译员的手段，更重要的是，是裁定者，可以用来更新适用的协议，将口译员对相关条款的理想发展注入自己的观点。受益于《进化解释与国际法》作者阐述的观点和收集的决定由Georges Abi-Saab，Kenneth Keith，Gabrielle Marceau和ClémentMarquet（Hart 2020）编辑，本文探讨了围绕进化解释进行辩论的两个核心问题。首先是进化解释是什么的问题，是规范应用过程中不可避免的步骤，还是决定超出其原始范围发展义务的决定。第二个问题是裁决人的独特作用，即演化解释是否是裁决人用来绕过基于同意的国际规则制定系统的限制而对所适用法律框架行使权威的工具。