First published in 1917, Satow's Diplomatic Practice has long been hailed as a classic and authoritative text. An indispensable guide for anyone working in or studying the field of diplomacy, this eighth edition builds on the extensive revisions in the sixth and seventh editions. The volume provides an enlarged and updated section on the history of diplomacy, the exponential growth in multilateral diplomatic efforts, and transformations in the corpus of international diplomatic law since the end of the Cold War. This eighth edition further offers a new chapter on recent developments and challenges of modern diplomacy, particularly in light of the increasing importance of China, and the shock to the international system administered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The book also traces the substantial expansion in numbers both of sovereign states and international and regional organizations, and features detailed chapters on diplomatic privileges and immunities, diplomatic missions, as well as consular matters, treatymaking and conferences. The volume also examines alternative forms of diplomacy, from the work of NGOs to the use of secret envoys, and interrogates the interaction between intelligence agencies and commercial security firms. It also discusses the impact of international terrorism and other violent non-state actors on the life and work of a diplomat. Finally, in recognition of the speed of changes in the field over the last twenty years, it includes updated chapters on human rights and public/digital diplomacy by experts in their respective fields.

Ivor Roberts, Honorary Faculty Research Fellow, University of Oxford,

Sir Ivor Roberts entered the Diplomatic Service in 1968. From 1989 to 1993 he was Minister in the British Embassy in Madrid. He was appointed Chargé d'Affaires and Consul-General in Belgrade in March 1994, and after recognition of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by the United Kingdom, he became Ambassador. During his time in Belgrade he conducted negotiations on behalf of the international mediators (Lord Owen and Carl Bildt) with both the Yugoslav authorities and the Bosnian Serbs. From January 1998 to February 1999 he was on sabbatical as a Senior Associate Member of St Antony's College, Oxford, writing and lecturing on his experiences in Yugoslavia. From February 1999 to March 2003 he served as British Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and from May 2003 to September 2006 as Ambassador to Italy. He retired from the Diplomatic Service in September 2006 on his election as President of Trinity College Oxford. He retired from this latter post in 2017.

Book I1. Diplomacy - A Short History, Ivor Roberts2. Good and Bad Diplomacy, Ivor Roberts and Margaret Macmillan3. Contemporary Diplomatic Challenges, Margaret Macmillan, Rana Mitter, and Ivor Roberts4. Introduction to International Law, Elizabeth Wilmshurst5. The State: Its Concept as a Legal Person in International Law, Elizabeth WilmshurstBook II6. Functions of Diplomatic Missions and Consulates, Ivor Roberts7. Diplomatic Communication, Ivor Roberts8. Formal Aspects of Diplomatic Relations: Precedence among Heads of State and States, Selection, Agrément, Precedence among Heads of Mission, Chargés d Affaires, Credentials, Full Powers for Heads of Mission, Ivor Roberts9. The Diplomatic Mission, The Corps, Breach of Relations, and Protection of Interests, Eileen Denza10. Terrorism and Diplomacy, Ivor RobertsBook III11. Immunities of the State, its Agencies, The Head of State, AND State Officials, Joanne Foakes12. Privileges and Immunities of Diplomatic Missions, Eileen Denza13. Privileges and Immunities of Diplomatic Agents, Eileen Denza14. Consuls: Appointment, Functions and Status, Eileen Denza and Chanaka Wickremasinghe15. Consular Access and Protection, Eileen Denza and Chanaka Wickremasinghe16. Special Missions, Joanne FoakesBook IV17. Theory and Practice of Multilateral Diplomacy, Emyr Jones Parry18. Human Rights and Diplomacy, Amal Clooney19. The United Nations - I the Charter and its Operation, Emyr Jones Parry20. The United Nations - II Specialized Agencies, Funds and Programmes, Regional Commissions, and Special Bodies, Emyr Jones Parry21. The G8/G7, G20, BRICS, WTO, OECD, IMF, and the World Bank, Ivor Roberts22. The European Union - I Development, Structure, and Decision-Making, Paul Berman23. The European Union II External Relations, Paul Berman24. Other International and Regional Organizations - Commonwealth, NATO, Council of Europe, OAS, AU, ASEAN, CIS, Francophonie, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Gulf Cooperation Council, OSCE, Quad, SCO, Ivor RobertsBook V25. Public and Digital Diplomacy, Tom Fletcher26. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs), Ivor Roberts27. Secret or Back-Channel Diplomacy, Secret Intelligence, Religious and other Unconventional Diplomatic Actors, Ivor RobertsBook VI28. International Conferences, Frank Berman and Eirik Bjorge29. Treaties and other International Instruments - I General Definition, Treaty Formalities, Frank Berman and Eirik Bjorge30. Treaties and other International Instruments - II Treaty, Convention, Agreement, Protocol, Frank Berman and Eirik Bjorge31. Treaties and other International Instruments - III Pact, Act, Modus Vivendi, Declaration, Exchange of Notes, Memorandum of Understanding, Frank Berman and Eirik Bjorge32. Treaties and other International Instruments - IV Ratification, Accession, Acceptance and Approval, Treaty Succession, Frank Berman and Eirik Bjorge33. Treaties and other International Instruments - V Interpretation, Reservations, Termination, The Effect of War, IUS Cogens, Frank Berman and Eirik BjorgeBook VII34. Prevention and Management of Conflict and Settlement of Disputes, Emyr Jones Parry35. Courts and Arbitral Tribunals: The International Court of Justice and Other Binding Means of Dispute Settlement, Elizabeth Wilmshurst36. Prosecutions - The International Criminal Court and other Tribunals, Elizabeth WilmshurstBook VIII37. Advice To Diplomats, Ivor Roberts and Emyr Jones Parry