unit 1-8 Flashcards
Definitions of INTL LAW
According to Oppenheim
“Law of Nations or international law is the name for the body of customary and conventional
rules which are considered legally binding by civilized States in their intercourse with each other.”
Modern definitions:
Schwarzenberger: International law is the body of legal rules which apply between sovereign States
and such other entities as have been granted international personality.
According to him, international law, if and when grants international personality to any entity, or
when international law would be capable of regulating rights and duties of any entity, its rules shall apply to them.
is it a real law or not
Not a real law- john austin and hobbes= code of moral force and rules of conduct only, no sanction or real authority. some believe that “Command, Sanction and Sovereign” are required to make it a true law, and since intl law has none of the three- its not true law.
not invested with true legal force, and no command of superior
IS LAW BUT IS WEAK
;s of the view that international law is a weak law for which he has given various reasons like
* the rules made by treaties and customs are not as effective as municipal legislations
* no adjudicating authority in the true sense
* weak enforcement measures
* frequent violations of the rules
* sovereign states being the units hampers its effectiveness.
positive or consensual theory
They believed that the binding force of international law comes from the consent of the states.
* Customs (implied) and treaties (express) constitute the primary sources of international law.
*They denied and criticized the law of nature as a source of law
Critics:
oConsent of new states cannot be found in already existing customs and treaties
oConsent of 3rd parties where some treaties create an obligation on them
oDonotrecognize the significance of natural law theor
Law of Nature Theory
According to this theory, international law is a part of law of nature (reason based law, higher law,
moral law, etc.).
* Grotius believed there is morality and divine justice in the nature of things, and both men and
nations are ought to be governed by this universal principle.
*Naturalists denied custom and treaties to be a source of international law.
* Influence of this theory can be seen in the recognition of human rights at an international level.
* Supporters- Pufendorf, Thomasius
* Criticism
oIts basis is idealistic moral principles and not the actual ground reality
oDonotrecognize the significance of customs and treaties
Groatian or Eclectics Theory
They have adopted a middle position between positivists and naturalists.
* They treat natural law as well as positive law of treaties and customs on equal footing.
* Two kinds of law- voluntary (based on customs and treaties) and necessary (natural law)
theory regarding subjects of intl law
becoming a subject of intl law=
a. An incumbent of rights and duties under international law
b. The holder of procedural privileges of prosecuting a claim before an international tribunal.
c. The possessor of interests for which provision is made by international law.
oRealist theory- States alone are subjects of international law
a state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications:
1. a permanent population;
2. a defined territory
3. a government; and
4. capacity to enter into relations with other states
CRITICISM: the limitations of the realistic theory is the trials of Nazi war criminals after the Second World War. The Charter of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg explicitly made individuals subject to international rules relating to crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. At Nuremberg and in other war trials, thousands of war criminals were tried and convicted; hundreds were executed. Nuremberg re-established plainly and forcefully that the rules of international law should and do apply to individuals.
oFictional theory- Individuals alone are subjects of international law
CRITICIMS: The fictional theory’s attempt to portray individuals as the subjects of international law proves futile because in reality even individuals derive their rights from a state, and the role of a state in international law is of paramount importance .
oFunctional theory- States, individuals, and certain non-state entities are subjects.
relationship between intl law and municipal law
- Dualism
Under the dualistic approach, municipal law and international law are considered separate and
distinct legal systems. They operate independently - Incorporation- Many states incorporate international law into their domestic legal systems through various means such as legislation, treaties, or constitutional provisions
- Conflict and Hierarchy:
Conflicts may arise between municipal and international law when there is a contradiction or
inconsistency between their provisions - Harmonization:
States often seek to harmonize their domestic laws with international obligations to ensure
compliance and consistency. - ) Influence and Interpretation:
International law can influence the interpretation and development of municipal law.
Courts and legal practitioners may refer to international legal principles, treaties, and customary practices when interpreting domestic laws or resolving legal disputes - Enforcement and Compliance:
States are responsible for enforcing both municipal and international law within their territories.
While international law primarily relies on state compliance and cooperation, violations of
international law can sometimes result in international legal consequences, such as diplomatic protests, economic sanctions, or even military intervention
Monistic theory
Under this theory, there is only one system of law- law in general.
International law and municipal law parts of the same system- law in general, there being no
real difference between the two systems of law.
All laws are single unity- whether binding on individuals, states or other entities.
The followers of this theory are of the view that international law and municipal law are both
part of a universal body of legal rules binding all human beings, collectively or singly
- Dualistic Theory
According to this theory international law and municipal law are two separate legal systems with
different inherent characteristics.
According to Triepel, subjects of municipal law are individuals and subjects of international law
are States solely. Additionally, according to him the juridical origin of the two systems are
different. (municipal law- will of the state itself, international law- common will of the states
called Gemeinwille
- Specific Adoption Theory and transformation theory
Specific adoption theory: International Law applies to a State when it is specifically adopted in its municipal law.
This is done to apply customary international law into the sphere of municipal law
Transformation theory:
ules of International Law must undergo transformation to be applicable in municipal law.
The treaties signed by the states at an international level must be transformed into the provisions of the municipal law.
The municipal law maybe amended or enabling legislations shall be passed to give affect to such treaties
Features of Customary Law
State practice to give rise to** binding rules **of customary International Law, that practice must be **uniform, consistent and general **and must be coupled with a belief that the practice is
obligatory rather than habitual.
In the North Sea Continental Shelf cases
the ICJ stated that there is no precise length of time during which the practice must exist. It is simply that it must be followed long enough to show that other requirements of custom are satisfactory
In the Lotus case, opinio Juris was seen as an essential
element of customary international law and this was
affirmed in North Sea Continental Shelf Cases as well.
Pacta sunt servanda
Pacta sunt servanda is a Latin phrase that means “agreements must be kept” and is a fundamental principle of international law. It states that parties to a contract or treaty must abide by the terms of the agreement they made. This principle is considered the foundation of international law and is directly referenced in many international agreements. Without it, no international agreement would be binding or enforceable.
Sources of international law
According to Lawrence and
Oppenheim there is only one source of International law and that is the consent of nation. Brierly considers customs and reasons as the main sources of international law.
Article 38(1) of the statute of the International Court of Justice is widely recognized as the most authoritative statement as to the sources of International law. On the basis of Article 38
of ICJ Statute five distinct sources can be identified. They are International
1. conventions/treaties,
2. International customs,
3. General principles of law,
4. Judicial decisions
5. and Reason and equity.
TREATIES
types of treaties:
1. Law Making Treaties
* ii) Treaty giving general principles.
- These treaties are signed by a majority of the State. For Example United Nation Charter.
* (i) Treaty giving the rule of Universal International Law
- These treaties are entered into and signed by a large number of countries giving
thereby general principles of International Like. Geneva Convention on Law of sea
- Treaty Contracts - These are the treaties which are entered into by two or more States. The provisions of such treaties are binding only on the parties to the treaty
Strictly speaking a treaty is not a source of law so much as a source of obligation under law.Treaties are binding only on States which become parties to them and the choice of whether or not to become party to a treaty is entirely one for the State – there is no requirement to sign up to a treaty. Why is a treaty binding on those States which have become parties to it ? pacta sunt servanda
But many treaties are also important as authoritative statements of customary law. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969. Less than half the States in the world are parties to it but every court which has considered the matter has treated its main provisions as
codifying customary law and has therefore treated them as applying to all States whether they are parties to the Convention or not.
treaties can prove as evidence for customary law?
is judicial decision a main force in international law?
According to Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, Judicial
Decisions are subsidiary sources of International Law
**Article 59 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice expressly provides that the
decisions of the court have no binding force except between the parties and in respect of that particular case. This means that the judicial decisions are binding only on the disputed States.
Under the provisions of this Article, the Court is specifically required not to apply precedent or doctrine of stare decisis in its decisionsDecisions of International Court of Justice are to have only persuasive value.**
Subjects of intl law
States:- The moment an entity becomes a state, it becomes an international legal person and acquires an international legal personality
Non-State Actors:- There are certain Non-State actors with international legal personalities that include, individuals, armed group involved in conflicts and international organizations like the EU, UN and African union who are deemed to be subjects of international law.- Member of the Composed States or federal states, Insurgents and Belligerents, National Liberation movements, International territories.
Special Case entities are the subjects of International law and Special case entities are granted special unique status under International law and they are the Sovereign Order of Malta, and the Holy See and the Vatican City.
International organizations:- an international organization is also an important subject of international law, it is defined as an organization established by a treaty or other instrument governed by international law and possessing its own legal personality. The United Nations and World Trade Organizations are examples of international organizations.
It can be said that states have original personality and non-state actors have derived personality. This is attributed to the fact that states are considered to be international personalities the moment they are identified as a sovereign state **on the other hand, non-state actors like international organizations derived their personality through other means. **
For example, the rights and duties maybe described in their constitutions, charters, and treaties that establish such organizations.
Rights and Duties of Subjects of International Law
bring claims before international and national courts and tribunals to enforce their rights. have the ability or power to come into agreements that are binding under international law (for example, treaties).
enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of foreign courts (for example, diplomatic immunity). be subject to obligations under international law (for example, obligations under international humanitarian law).
Debate between theories of relation between intl law of monoistic theory and dualistic theory
dualists: intl law and muni law are disticnt and govern different areas. international law is weaker than dom law and is only part of domestic law becausr the state chose to incorporate it.
Monoists: one system of law and both parts (intl+municipal) are bindig and arise from the concept of law. they see intl law as superior and stronger representing the systems highests rules and values. if domestic law anywhere conflicts with international law that is the State’s fault, and will not excuse the State’s obligations
international law will apply to a state regardless of its domestic law and that a
state cannot in the international forum plead its own domestic law, or even its domestic constitution, as an excuse for breaches of its international obligations.
some states incorp intl law into municpl law
:
APPLICATIOn of intl law into municipal law:
- Specific Adoption, Specific Incorporation or Transformation Theory:
in order for intl law to applied into municpl law, it must be SPECIFICALLY adopted - Delegation Theory:
Delegation theory argues that states delegate authority to their constitutions through international treaties. It does not have a superiority concept, and states can decide how to implement international law without considering whether it is superior to national law ???
Convention as a source of International Law
Treaties and conventions are one of the most important sources of International
Law.
* These conventions can be multilateral or bilateral.
* Multilateral conventions relate to the treaties which formulate the universal or
general application of the law.*
On the other hand, bilateral conventions are those which is formed exclusively by two states to deal with a particular matter
concerning these states.
* Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaty 1969, the codified law for contracting
treaties, Treaties act as a direct source of rights and obligations for the states, they codify the existing customary source of law.
They are voluntary and cannot bind non-signatory to it** Exception:f any rule forms part of the Jus Cogens norm as they are part of the accepted principles of International law and every state has a
peremptory duty of not breaching them due to their **erga omnes* obligations.
(owed to the whole world
Anglo Norwegian Fisheries Case?
Norway’s Decree: In 1935, Norway enacted a decree that established baselines from which to measure its territorial sea. These baselines were drawn around Norway’s coastline, including numerous fjords, bays, islands, and islets.
UK’s Claim: The UK argued that Norway’s baselines were drawn in a way that violated international law, particularly the “10-mile rule” that limited the distance between baselines. The UK contended that Norway’s claims to the waters surrounding its coast were excessive and encroached upon the high seas.
COURT: appears to support the idea that an existing customary law rule would not apply to a State if (1) it objected to the application of the rule to itself (2) at the initial stages and (3) in a consistent manner. Furthee there was no objection from other countries
he Court held that the fact that this consistent and sufficiently long practice took place without any objection to the practice from other States (until the time of dispute) indicated that these States did notconsider the Norwegian system to be “contrary to international law”.
The North Sea Continental Shelf Cases
series of legal disputes between several European countries over the delimitation of their respective continental shelves in the North Sea. These cases involved Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
The 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf established the principle that coastal states have sovereign rights over the resources of their continental shelf.
However, the Convention did not provide specific rules for delimiting continental shelves between neighboring states.
this put germany at a disadvantage due to the shape of its coastline
The Court concluded that the equidistance principle was not binding on Germany by way of treaty or customary international law.
In the case of the latter, the principle had not attained a customary international law status at the time of the entry into force of the Geneva Convention or thereafter. As such, the Court held that the use of the equidistance method is not obligatory for the delimitation of the areas concerned in the present proceedings
SS LOTUS CASE
Collision: The SS Lotus collided with a Turkish ship, resulting in the deaths of several Turkish citizens.
Turkish Arrest: Turkish authorities arrested the French officer responsible for the collision and charged him with manslaughter.
HELD
Presumption of Sovereignty:The PCIJ ruled that states have a presumption of sovereignty within their own territory, meaning that they have jurisdiction over all persons and events within their borders unless there is a clear rule of international law to the contrary.
Absence of Prohibited Rule: The Court found that there was no explicit rule of international law prohibiting Turkey from exercising jurisdiction over the French officer.
Exercise of Jurisdiction: Therefore, the PCIJ concluded that Turkey was entitled to exercise jurisdiction over the case, provided that its actions were not in violation of any international law.
jus cogens norms
Jus cogens are the most fundamental principles of international law that are considered to be universally binding upon all states, regardless of their consent. These are norms that cannot be derogated from by treaties or other sources of international law.
In essence, jus cogens are the “non-negotiable” rules of the international legal system.
Examples of Jus Cogens Norms:
Prohibition of Genocide:
Nuremberg trials These crimes were considered to be so fundamental violations of international law that they were deemed to be jus cogens norms, and the individuals responsible were held accountable regardless of their national origin or the laws of their own countries.