international law

Question 1

domestic law

Answer 1

system of law which operates within one country

application - universal and applies to all
enforcement - law enforcement agencies exist, such as the police to enforce the law
creation - made by parliament or the rulings of judges

Question 2

international law

Answer 2

system of law which governs relationships between countries

application - applies only to those nations that agree to be bound by the law
enforcement - ICJ but countries are permitted to exempt themselves from cases
creation - made through negotiations between nations

Question 3

two types of international law

Answer 3

private: rules which govern the rights of individuals who cross national boundaries ( citizenship, marriage, travel, business contracts)
public: rules which govern relationships between countries

Question 4

state

Answer 4

another word for nation or country

a state is an independent entity or body that can enter into relations and be recognized internationally

Question 5

state requirements

Answer 5

• a permanent population
• a defined territory
• an effective government ( supreme power imposed on population )
• capability to enter into international negotiations

Question 6

state sovereignty

Answer 6

sovereignty is the power of a state to do everything necessary to govern itself

Question 7

limitations of international law

Answer 7

• nations cannot interfere with each other’s sovereignty

- international law is based on agreement and cooperation

Question 8

three sources of international law

Answer 8

• international customary law
• instruments ( declarations and treaties
• legal decisions, writings

Question 9

treaties

Answer 9

an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law

Question 10

two types of treaties

Answer 10

• bilateral: formal agreement between two states

- multilateral: a formal agreement between three or more states

Question 11

conventions and declarations

Answer 11

a treaty which is agreed to and proclaimed by a large number of nations

conventions: regulate a particular aspect of international law
declarations: are similar and is usually a resolution of the united nations

Question 12

customary international law

Answer 12

principles and procedures that have been generally used to the point that they are accepted as being fair and right by the international community

Question 13

Jus Cogens

Answer 13

principle of international law that can not be contradicted by any nation

any treaty that goes against customary law that is jus cogens is declared invalid

Question 14

legal decisions in international law

Answer 14

decisions are made by international organisations such as the UN and the ICJ

Question 15

legal writings

Answer 15

writings of international lawyers, judges or despected journalosts or politicians, can be used as advisory notes by ICJ judges

Question 16

united nations

Answer 16

• 1945 after WW2

- mission: the maitenance of international peace and security

Question 17

key functions of the un

Answer 17

• protect human rights
• deliver humanitarian aid
• promote sustainable development
• uphold international law

Question 18

general assembily

Answer 18

• the main deliberative, policymaking and representatie organ of the un
• 193 member states

Question 19

security council

Answer 19

• the secuirty council has primary responsibility for the maitanance of inetnational peacce and security
• it can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorise the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security
• 15 members ( 5 permanent ) ( 10 changed every 2 years )
• 5 have power of vito ( if one doesnt agree something can not happen )
• china
• france
• russia
• the uk
• us

Question 20

economic and social council

Answer 20

• the principal body for coordingation, policy review, policy dialouge and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues
• implementation of internationally agreed development goals

Question 21

courts and tribunals

Answer 21

• settle disputes between nations

- the international court of justice ( ICJ )

Question 22

ICJ

Answer 22

• all members of the un are entitled to take matters before the ICJ
• before engaging, the nations involved must recognize the right of the court to settle the dispute and accept their decision
• can not enforce its decision in the same way as domestic
• reduces the effectiveness of the ICJ

Question 23

the jurisdiction of the court recognized in three ways

Answer 23

1. a special agreement, when an agreement is given in relation to a specific dispute
2. a clause in a treaty, there are more than 300 international treaties that nominate the ICJ to resolve disputes between the signatories
3. a unilateral declaration, some nations have agreed to accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ in all members

Question 24

war crimes tribunals

Answer 24

• special international courts established on the basis to try individuals accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity
• important so individuals act within the rules of war

Question 25

ICC

Answer 25

international criminal court - 2002 - permanent court and deals with individuals accused of the most serious international crimes ( genocide, against humanity, serious war crimes) - ICC will not hear a case currently being investigated by another body unless the investigation is not genuine

Question 26

intergovernmental organizations (IGO)

Answer 26

- organs of UN - bodies established to meet and decide upon certain topic and issues within international laws, such as refugees and wealth - example of IGO: ECOSOC EU

Question 27

nongovernmental organizations (NGO)

Answer 27

- these organizations are separate from the Un and government but usually have their support - as these organizations are not recognized under international law, cannot bring matters before the ICJ - pressure nations to abide by international law

Question 28

relevance to contemporary Australian law

Answer 28

- Australia has an active role in international law | - one of the founding members of the UN

Question 29

treaty process in Australia ( ext affairs )

Answer 29

(section 51 xxix the external affairs power) 51, 29 of the constitution. - allows international signing of treaties

Question 30

treaty steps in Australia

Answer 30

STEP 1 - a mandate to enter a treaty - minister who wants to create or enter a treaty must seek permission from the minister of foreign affairs or cabinet STEP 2 - ministerial and executive council approval ( once terms and conditions have been finished) - lead minister seeks agreement from the minister for foreign affairs, the attorney general, and any minister that will be affected by the treaty STEP 3 - signature - once the federal executive council has given its approval, a treaty may then be signed STEP 4 - review by parliament - both houses of parliament then review the treaty STEP 5 - ratification - the treaty must be ratified at a domestic and international level a. domestic ratification - if any changes are required to domestic law or procedures and policies are required, legislation will be introduced into the federal parliament to implement the treaty in Australian domestic law b. international ratification - international act whereby Australia expresses its consent to be bound, an expression that Australia accepts the terms of the treaty including any qualifications or reservation