THE SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA: Spiritual Knighthood and the Law of Sovereignty Without Territory

The Sovereign Order of Malta: Spiritual Knighthood and the Law of Sovereignty Without Territory (London–Rome–Glasgow, 2025) is a scholarly monograph by Oleg Manyuta, PhD in Law, exploring one of the most paradoxical questions of international law: the persistence of sovereignty without territory. Rooted in a multidisciplinary approach, the book combines historical, legal, and geopolitical perspectives to analyse the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) as a unique actor in world politics and law.

The study traces the Order’s origins as a medieval religious and military community, its recognition under canon law, its transformation into a humanitarian institution, and its continuing status as a subject of international law. Special attention is given to the Order’s diplomatic relations, extraterritorial jurisdictions, and the broader implications for understanding sovereignty in a globalised, digital age. The monograph also examines the concept of “digital sovereignty” and the possibility of non-territorial sovereign entities issuing digital currencies and engaging with the challenges of cyber governance.

This work will be of interest to legal scholars, historians, political scientists, and practitioners of international and humanitarian law, as well as to those studying the intersections of sovereignty, canon law, and emerging digital jurisdictions.