LCP4801 EXAM
PACK 2024
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
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. Introduction to International Law:
Definition: International law is a set of rules and principles that govern the relations between states and
other international actors, such as international organizations and individuals. It aims to maintain peace,
resolve conflicts, and regulate cooperation among nations.
Objectives:
1. Maintain international peace and security.
2. Facilitate cooperation and collaboration among states.
3. Protect human rights on a global scale.
Questions:
1. What is the primary purpose of international law?
2. How does international law contribute to maintaining peace and security?
3. Name some key international actors governed by international law.
Answers:
1. The primary purpose of international law is to regulate the relations between states and other
international entities, promoting cooperation and preventing conflicts.
2. International law contributes to maintaining peace and security by establishing norms that
discourage aggression, resolving disputes peacefully, and providing mechanisms for collective
security.
3. Key international actors include states, international organizations (e.g., the United Nations), and
individuals, all subject to the principles of international law.
II. Sources of International Law:
1. Treaties and Agreements:
Legal agreements between states or international organizations.
Govern various aspects of international relations.
2. Customary International Law:
Practices and behaviors accepted as legally binding among states.
Develops over time through consistent state practice.
3. General Principles of Law:
Common legal principles recognized by the international community.
Applied when specific rules are absent.
4. Judicial Decisions and Legal Scholarship:
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Decisions of international courts and opinions of legal scholars.
Contribute to the development and interpretation of international law.
Questions:
1. What are the main sources of international law?
2. How does customary international law develop?
3. In the absence of specific rules, what principles guide international legal decisions?
Answers:
1. The main sources of international law include treaties, customary international law, general principles
of law, and judicial decisions/legal scholarship.
2. Customary international law develops through the consistent practice of states that is accepted as
legally binding, reflecting a sense of legal obligation (opinio juris).
3. In the absence of specific rules, general principles of law recognized by the international community
guide legal decisions.
III. Principles of International Law:
1. Sovereignty:
Principle that states have supreme authority over their territory.
Respect for sovereignty is a fundamental aspect of international relations.
2. Non-intervention:
Prohibition of interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
Exceptions exist, such as humanitarian intervention.
3. Equality of States:
All states, regardless of size or power, have equal legal standing.
A foundational principle in international law.
Questions:
1. What is the principle of sovereignty in international law?
2. Explain the concept of non-intervention. Are there any exceptions to this principle?
3. Why is the equality of states considered a foundational principle in international law?
Answers:
1. The principle of sovereignty asserts that states have supreme authority over their territory and
affairs, and other states should respect this autonomy.
2. Non-intervention is the prohibition of interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
Humanitarian intervention is an exception, allowing interference in cases of gross human rights
violations.
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3. The equality of states is a foundational principle emphasizing that all states, regardless of size or
power, have equal legal standing, promoting fairness and cooperation in international relations.
IV. International Legal Institutions:
1. United Nations (UN):
International organization promoting peace, security, and cooperation.
Security Council, General Assembly, and specialized agencies.
2. International Court of Justice (ICJ):
Principal judicial organ of the UN.
Settles legal disputes between states.
3. International Criminal Court (ICC):
Independent judicial institution prosecuting individuals for international crimes.
Complements national legal systems.
Questions:
1. What is the role of the United Nations in international law?
2. How does the International Court of Justice contribute to the resolution of international legal disputes?
3. Explain the purpose of the International Criminal Court in the realm of international law.
Answers:
1. The United Nations plays a central role in international law by promoting peace, security, and
cooperation among states through its various organs, including the Security Council and General
Assembly.
2. The International Court of Justice settles legal disputes between states, providing a forum for peaceful
resolution through judicial means and contributing to the development of international law.
3. The International Criminal Court prosecutes individuals for international crimes, such as genocide and
war crimes, ensuring accountability and complementing national legal systems.
V. Human Rights in International Law:
1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
Fundamental document outlining basic human rights.
Serves as a foundation for international human rights law.
2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and International Covenant on Economic,
Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR):
Core human rights treaties, ensuring a comprehensive approach to rights.
Establish legal obligations for states.
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