Local Scholar and Councilmember Publishes Book on the Use of Foreign Law by the Supreme Court

Shoreline City Councilmember Chris Roberts has authored a book titled “Foreign Law? Congress v. the Supreme Court,” published by LBF Scholarly. The book provides an examination of judicial decision-making and the role that foreign law plays in shaping Supreme Court decisions.

In his book, Roberts provides evidence that the Justices on the United States Supreme Court take into account their relationships with legislators and other audiences when making their decisions. He shows how the Justices responded to its controversial use of foreign law in Lawrence v. Texas (2002) and Roper v. Simmons (2005) by reducing the number of citations to decisions of foreign and international courts. 

Roberts concludes that the reaction of the Justices to the controversy about the use of foreign law indicates that the Justices care more about cases than just their disposition or particular policy agendas. This sensitivity to other audiences, especially legislators, has an affect on the development of the law. His research provides a lens of how to understand the Washington State Supreme Court’s decisions about school funding.

The book is part of the series “Law and Society,” edited by Professor Melvin I. Urofsky of Virginia Commonwealth University. The series explores the complex issues of law and society in America. Does the law respond to social context, or does it change social context. The series includes work in sociology, history, political science, and legal studies.

Roberts is currently a member of the Shoreline, Washington City Council. In 2012 he earned a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Washington in Political Science. He received his undergraduate degree from Willamette University and a Master’s degree from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University of Albany, SUNY. 

More information about the book is on the Web.

ISBN-13:  978-1-59332-749-1