This study guide contains the notes of all 7 lectures of Public International Law, supplemented with notes of the readings. (DISCLAIMER: This document is the same as uploaded in Quarter 1, but then all together in one document.)
,Lieke Spruit (16030575) Public International Law Study Guide
Lecture 1
Wherever there is a society, there is a law (ubi societas, ibi jus)
• The existence of international relations, of whatever kind, entails the existence of
international law.
Definition
Public international law consists of rules and principles that regulates the relations between
States and other entities, provided they have international legal personality.
• Between States
• Between States and other entities possessing international legal personality.
Private international law regulates individual conduct with a transboundary element.
Different theories of international law:
• Serve peaceful relations between States (dominant approach)
• Handmaiden of global capitalism
• A beacon of hope for the poor and oppressed
• Aim to undermine national decision-making process
History
The Seventeenth Century
Modern international law started in the 17th century, because preceding that century, much
of Europe tended to be organized in large empires and people did not think it was necessary
to regulate the relations between their empires.
• Even though the ancient Greek city states already concluded treaties with each other
Most relevant reason is the Peace of Westphalia (1648); it concluded the end of the Thirty
Years’ War.
• End of secular power of the pope
• Cuius region eius religio = territorial units could decide for themselves which religion to
adopt.
States came out as the dominant form of political organization, as they had full territorial
control and the capacity to guarantee commitments.
Second most important event in the 17th century is the publication of Hugo Grotius’ On the
Law of War and Peace in 1625.
• Grotius as founding father of international law
• Grotius’ notion: all people have a right to trade
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Grotius also formed a bridge between the naturalist way and positivist theorizing.
• Natural law: found, not made.
• Positive law: made, not found.
Grotius may have been the first to present a comprehensive vision of international law.
• On the Law of War and Peace addressed law of armed conflict and aggression, but also
matters as the binding force of treaties.
Modern Era
• Creation of modern sovereign States
o Use of treaties to regulate the interaction between these States
• Emergence of international organizations
Colonialism
International law is closely connected with colonialism and imperialism.
During this time, relations between the European Powers and the ‘natives’ were regulated by
some rules.
• Territories found overseas were to be regarded as not having been subject to
sovereignty.
o Territory belonging to no one (terra nullius)
In 1602, the Dutch VOC got assigned a trading monopoly. One important ramification was
that the VOC came to exercise delegated governmental authority.
• It could acquire and administer territory, declare war, conclude treaties and seize
foreign ships.
International law also played a role when it came to slavery, first by allowing it, and later, by
prohibiting it.
After World War I (1914 – 1918)
• Establishment League of Nations (Geneva, 1920 – 1946)
o Permanent Court of Justice (The Hague, 1922 – 1946)
• Purpose: to secure international peace
o However, World War II (1939 – 1945)
After World War II
• Establishment United Nations
o Initiative by Allies
• Purpose: to protect and restore international peace and security
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United Nations
The intergovernmental organization has six main organs.
General Assembly (GA)
• Each member has a seat
• Representative body of the UN
• UN Charter, Art. 2 (1) gives the states sovereign equality
• Non-binding resolutions
o Purpose of GA: establishing “soft law”
Security Council (SC)
• 15 members
o 5 permanent members with veto power – China, France, Russia, UK and USA
o 10 non-permanent members elected for two-years term (election by GA)
• Only body with power to adopt binding resolutions
• ‘Chapter VII’ resolution – Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the
Peace and Acts of Aggression
• UN Charter, Art. 2 (4) – Member States shall refrain from the threat or use of force in
their international relations
International Court of Justice
• Jurisdiction: consent-based to settle disputes
o Only between states
o Binding decisions to the parties of the dispute
• Advisory jurisdiction to advice UN organs on legal questions
Other organs
• Economic and Social Council – assisting the General Assembly in promoting
international economic and social co-operation and development
• Trusteeship Council – helped ensure that trust territories were administered in the best
interests of their inhabitants and of international peace and security. (inactive as of
1994)
• Secretariat – provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN bodies for
their meetings. Headed by the Secretary-General.
The international legal system
The absence of a single overarching authority is probably the most noteworthy characteristic
of international law.
• Almost all nations observe almost all principles of international law and almost all of
their obligations almost all of the time.
o Unless: reciprocity, retorsion, countermeasures, self-defence or collective
security action
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The system is horizontally structured, which has consequences both in relation to its
perception and its function.
• Principle of sovereign equality (Art. 2 (1) UN Charter)
• Not subject to the power of any supranational authority without the State’s consent.
Lotus case
In this case the Court was looking for the existence of a customary law granting enforcement
jurisdiction to flag States in respect of high-seas collisions. If such a rule was discovered Turkey
would have been in breach of international law since it had prosecuted a French national on
board a French vessel.
Accordingly, the Court examined relevant State practice, but not necessarily to find a
rule permitting the exercise of jurisdiction by a non-flag State. It was also content if it was
unable to find a rule prohibiting the exercise of such jurisdiction.
“International law governs relations between independent States. The rules of law binding
upon States therefore emanate from their own free will as expressed in conventions or by
usages generally accepted as expressing principles of law and established in order to regulate
the relations between these co-existing independent communities or with a view to the
achievement of common aims. Restrictions upon the independence of States cannot therefore
be presumed.’
• Lotus-principle: ‘whatever is not prohibited is permitted in international law.’
International legal theories
International law is a compromise between natural law and positive law.
• Natural law = the nature of international law by pointing to a set of rules that are of
universal and objective scope.
o Serves the common good of mankind
• Positivism = the principles are based on a structured and coherent legal system that is
created by States in light of their interests and desires.
o Reflects state practice and interest
International law in international relations theory
There are different views on international law and politics.
• Self-proclaimed realists view international law as irrelevant.
• Liberal institutionalists are not quite ready to dismiss international law
• Law and economics approach scholars presume that states are rational actors.
Relation between international and domestic law
States cannot rely on their domestic law as an excuse to violate their international obligations
– Art. 27 of the 1969 VCLT.
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