Reconciling Divergent Meanings in the Interpretation of Multilingual Treaties

Abstract While States can often refer to a single language text of a multilingual treaty, there are times when an examination of other language texts is required. This article proposes a novel three-step method for applying Article 33(4) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties to remove, or otherwise reconcile, differences in meaning between multilingual treaty texts. In doing so, this article seeks to address the current vacuum of practical guidance on when an examination of different authentic treaty texts is necessary in the process of interpretation, and how any differences in meaning between the texts should be removed or reconciled.