INTERNATIONAL

LAW

International Law consists of the rules and

principles of general application dealing with
the conduct of States and of international
organizations in their international relations
with one another and with private individuals.
It also regulates the global commons, such
as the environment, sustainable
development, international waters, outer
space, global communications and world
trade.

International Law defines the legal

responsibilities of States in their conduct
with each other, and their treatment of
individuals within State boundaries.
Its domain encompasses a wide range of
issues of international concern such as
human rights, international crime,
refugees, migration, problems of
nationality, the treatment of prisoners, the
use of force, and the conduct of war.

Who Makes International

Laws

An essential element of the definition of

international law is not its subject matter or
the type of entities it regulates, but that it is
law that is made by states collectively. No
single state acting unilaterally can make
international law; neither can a collection of
corporations or individuals.
Individuals, and corporations can all become
subjects of international law and have limited
powers and international personality
recognized under international law.

there are no
predetermined limits
as to what areas
international law does
or should regulate.

Private International Law

regulates relationships between natural

and legal persons that happen to be in
more than one country, such as
relationships between companies in two
different countries or between parents
from two different countries over the
custody of children. In such cases, courts
have to decide the law of which country
should be applied.

Public International Law

Private entities, such as companies or

individuals, however, can be subjects of
international law. For example, international
aviation is governed by international law
because there are international treaties
between states about it. Similarly, individuals
can be prosecuted under international
criminal law or claim rights against states
under international human rights law
because there are interstate treaties that
make these possible.

Why study International

Law?
International law can help us
developing views within international
relations.
International law can be studied in
order to have an understanding of
the operation of international
organizations and institutions.

The legal element is concerned with

international law, while in international
relations it is the political element that
takes centre stage.
International lawyers speak about
international law. International relations
scholars ask how international actors
behave.

CONCLUSION

International law makes a unique contribution to our

understanding of day-to-day international affairs by
offering standards of conduct to evaluate the behavior
of international actors.
Studying international law is an important way to
grasp the facts of international life, as well as the
values underpinning it. International law contributes
to international relations by hosting its basic and
constitutive ideas.
International Law does provide almost the only means
by which states can register and secure the gains
which they make toward a better international order.