International Law

State Responsibility for Internationally Wrongful Acts International law does not merely establish rights and obligations for states. It also provides rules for what happens when a state violates an international obligation. The legal framework governing these consequences is known as state responsibility. State responsibility is concerned with the legal consequences Read more

State Sovereignty and Territorial Jurisdiction State sovereignty is one of the foundational concepts of international law. It explains why states possess authority over their territories, why they generally control their domestic affairs, and why international law treats states as legally equal despite enormous differences in population, wealth, military power, and Read more

Individuals as Subjects of International Law For centuries, international law was often described as a legal system governing relations between sovereign states. States concluded treaties, exchanged diplomats, claimed territory, declared war, and assumed responsibility for violations of international obligations. Individuals were generally viewed as objects of international law rather than Read more

The United Nations and International Law The United Nations (UN) occupies a unique position in the modern international legal order. It is not a world government, and it does not possess unlimited authority over sovereign states. Yet its Charter, institutions, decisions, peacekeeping operations, treaties, courts, and specialized agencies have profoundly Read more

International Organizations in International Law Introduction International law is often described as a system governing relations between states. That description is historically important, but it is no longer sufficient to explain the modern international legal order. States remain the principal actors in international law, but they increasingly act through international Read more

States in International Law Introduction States are the central traditional subjects of international law. International law regulates relationships among states, establishes rights and obligations between them, determines the circumstances in which states may exercise jurisdiction, and provides rules governing responsibility when states violate international obligations. States also create much of Read more

General Principles of International Law Introduction International law is not built exclusively from treaties and customary international law. States and international courts also rely on a broader category of legal principles that help fill gaps, structure legal reasoning, and ensure that international law can function as a coherent legal system. Read more

Customary International Law Customary international law is one of the oldest and most important sources of international law. It consists of legal rules that develop through the general practice of states when that practice is accepted as legally required or permitted. Unlike treaty law, customary international law does not normally Read more

Treaties in International Law Treaties are among the most important sources of international law. They allow states to create legally binding obligations through formal agreement and provide a structured framework for international cooperation. A treaty can regulate almost any subject capable of being addressed through international agreement. States use treaties Read more