International Law Supervision 8:
International Law and English Law
Contents
Textbook Reading: Evans Chapter 14: The Relationship between International and
National Law (Denza) .................................................................................................................................... 2
I. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 2
II. The Approach of the International Courts and Tribunals.................................................. 2
A. Where National Law Causes Breaches of International Law ....................................... 2
B. International Law Looks Mainly to the Result ................................................................... 3
III. The Approach of National Parliaments and National Courts ....................................... 4
IV. The Spectrum of Constitutional Rules ................................................................................... 4
A. The Netherlands ............................................................................................................................. 4
B. Germany ............................................................................................................................................ 4
C. France ................................................................................................................................................. 5
D. Russia .................................................................................................................................................. 5
E. USA....................................................................................................................................................... 6
F. The UK ................................................................................................................................................ 7
V. Some Problems which Arise in National Courts .................................................................... 7
A. Does a Rule of Customary International Law Prevail over Conflicting National
Law? ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
B. What is the Meaning of an International Law Rule in the Context of Domestic
Law? ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
C. Is the International Rule Directly Applicable and Directly Effective? ...................... 8
D. Does a Treaty Prevail Over Inconsistent National Law? ................................................ 8
E. Can a Treaty Prevail Over a National Constitutional Norm? ........................................ 9
F. Should the Executive Direct or Guide the National Court? ........................................... 9
G. Should a National Court apply a Foreign Law which Conflicts with International
Law? ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
H. Are there Questions of International Law which National Courts should decline
to answer? .............................................................................................................................................. 10
VI. Conclusion: Elements of a Happy Relationship .......................................................... 10
Cases .................................................................................................................................................................. 11
International Law Perspective ........................................................................................................... 11
Brazilian Loans Case, France v Brazil (1929) PCJIL .............................................................. 11
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International Law and English Law
Contents
Textbook Reading: Evans Chapter 14: The Relationship between International and
National Law (Denza) .................................................................................................................................... 2
I. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 2
II. The Approach of the International Courts and Tribunals.................................................. 2
A. Where National Law Causes Breaches of International Law ....................................... 2
B. International Law Looks Mainly to the Result ................................................................... 3
III. The Approach of National Parliaments and National Courts ....................................... 4
IV. The Spectrum of Constitutional Rules ................................................................................... 4
A. The Netherlands ............................................................................................................................. 4
B. Germany ............................................................................................................................................ 4
C. France ................................................................................................................................................. 5
D. Russia .................................................................................................................................................. 5
E. USA....................................................................................................................................................... 6
F. The UK ................................................................................................................................................ 7
V. Some Problems which Arise in National Courts .................................................................... 7
A. Does a Rule of Customary International Law Prevail over Conflicting National
Law? ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
B. What is the Meaning of an International Law Rule in the Context of Domestic
Law? ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
C. Is the International Rule Directly Applicable and Directly Effective? ...................... 8
D. Does a Treaty Prevail Over Inconsistent National Law? ................................................ 8
E. Can a Treaty Prevail Over a National Constitutional Norm? ........................................ 9
F. Should the Executive Direct or Guide the National Court? ........................................... 9
G. Should a National Court apply a Foreign Law which Conflicts with International
Law? ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
H. Are there Questions of International Law which National Courts should decline
to answer? .............................................................................................................................................. 10
VI. Conclusion: Elements of a Happy Relationship .......................................................... 10
Cases .................................................................................................................................................................. 11
International Law Perspective ........................................................................................................... 11
Brazilian Loans Case, France v Brazil (1929) PCJIL .............................................................. 11
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