Overview
The CIL Document Database was established in 2009 as a free public resource to provide reliable and value-added information for researchers and policy makers on ASEAN law and policy instruments and the Southeast Asian implementation of key international law instruments. The database comprises over 900 ASEAN and 300 international law documents in areas relevant to CIL’s research. The collection is selected and cross-referenced by a dedicated CIL research team.
The database can be accessed directly from the CIL homepage cil.nus.edu.sg, or from the “Database” tab of the top menu bar.
Our collection is continually being expanded and updated. If you have any questions, suggestions of new documents for inclusion, or spot any information that needs rectification, please contact us at cilcsw@nus.edu.sg.
Database entries – Summary information
Each database entry includes a downloadable full text document with a content page. You will also find summary information about the instrument including instrument status, citations, dispute settlement and entry into force provisions, and a list of related instruments. For binding instruments, the ratification status tracking allows you to view implementation in ASEAN countries at a glance, whether it is an ASEAN instrument or an international law instrument.
Search
Database entries may be searched by keyword, with filters for date and category. The keyword search default searches by title, but you have the option of applying the keyword search to the summary information of the database entries.
A full-text keyword search of our database documents is also available. Please be aware however that you will be directed to a google search and the additional search filters are not available.
Abbreviations
The 'Title' search field also allows you to search for abbreviated/acronym instrument titles, e.g. "TAC" for the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, "ASEAN Charter" for the 2007 Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or "UNCLOS" for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea".
Treaty Status filter
The Treaty status filter of the CIL database provides the unique function of searching our collection by ratification status and by country.
Categories
The document collections are classified into categories and sub-categories. The ASEAN collection includes both binding instruments as well as selected soft law instruments such as work plans and declarations that we have identified as providing useful information on ASEAN members’ commitments and intentions. The International Law collection is focused on areas of interest to CIL’s research teams.
The database collection is organised according to the following categories (click to expand):