70108 Public International Law

Description

International law is a well-established branch of law with a wide scope of application and far-reaching implications for States, individuals and entities. International law differs from other legal systems because of its horizontal nature and its distinct sources and subjects. This horizontal characteristic is based on the fact that States, the primary subjects of international law, are legally equal. It is States that create international law through treaty and custom, the principal source of rights and obligations. International law can thus be contrasted to domestic legal systems, in which laws created by a central legislature bind natural and legal persons, and where higher courts subordinate lower courts. This subject pays particular attention to the development of law through the machinery of the United Nations in its relationship with States, other international organisations, entities and individuals. Topics explored include: the sources of international law; maritime zones; the relationship of international law to municipal law; personality and recognition; jurisdiction and immunities from jurisdiction; the law of treaties; State responsibility; the peaceful settlement of international disputes; and the use of force.

In this advanced-level subject students collaborate in preparing and delivering seminar presentations. Students also collaboratively develop and refine their adversarial written and oral skills within a hypothetical situation before the International Court of Justice. Students consider the applicable rules of treaty and custom to the international dispute under consideration. In covering the rules of international law the subject draws from traditional sources of law as well as more contemporary approaches to international law-making.