What Is The Rule of Law
In practice, treaties help bring stability and predictability to international relations. By agreeing to common rules, states can resolve disputes, coordinate actions, and promote trust in the international system.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Established in 1945, it is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and often referred to as the “World Court.” Its main role is to settle legal disputes between states and to provide advisory opinions on questions of international law referred to it by UN bodies or agencies.
Unlike criminal courts, the ICJ does not try individuals. Instead, it focuses on matters brought by states, such as interpreting treaties, clarifying maritime rights, or addressing questions of international cooperation. For example, if two countries disagree about where their border lies, they can bring the matter before the ICJ for a legal resolution.
The court is made up of 15 judges, elected for nine-year terms by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. This structure is designed to ensure representation from the world’s major legal systems and to reinforce the court’s impartiality.
One of the strengths of the ICJ is that its judgments are binding on the parties involved, though it relies on states to comply voluntarily. In practice, most states respect its rulings, since the ICJ provides a peaceful and legal alternative to prolonged disputes.
By offering a forum for legal resolution, the ICJ supports stability, fairness, and order in international relations. Understanding its role helps clarify how international law is applied at the highest level.
What are international treaties?
In practice, treaties help bring stability and predictability to international relations. By agreeing to common rules, states can resolve disputes, coordinate actions, and promote trust in the international system.
International treaties are formal agreements between states that set out rules, obligations, or standards on a particular issue. They are one of the main ways international law is created and applied.
Treaties can cover a wide range of topics, from trade and environmental protection to human rights and diplomatic relations. Some treaties are bilateral, involving just two countries, while others are multilateral, signed by many states.
The process of creating a treaty usually involves negotiation, signing, and ratification. Signing shows intent to follow the agreement, but ratification is the step where a country formally accepts the treaty as binding under its domestic procedures. Once in force, treaties function much like contracts between countries: they create rights and obligations that are recognised under international law.
Importantly, treaties are based on consent. States are not bound by a treaty unless they choose to join it. This respect for voluntary participation reflects the principle of sovereignty, while still enabling cooperation on shared challenges.
Famous examples include the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969), which sets out the rules for how treaties are made and interpreted, and the Charter of the United Nations (1945), which established the UN and guides its work.
In practice, treaties help bring stability and predictability to international relations. By agreeing to common rules, states can resolve disputes, coordinate actions, and promote trust in the international system.
What Is Customary International Law?
In practice, treaties help bring stability and predictability to international relations. By agreeing to common rules, states can resolve disputes, coordinate actions, and promote trust in the international system.
Alongside treaties, customary international law is one of the main sources of international law. Unlike treaties, which are written agreements, customary law develops from the consistent practices of states that are followed out of a sense of legal obligation.
Two elements are usually required for a rule to become customary international law:
State practice – many states must regularly act in a particular way.
Opinio juris – states must believe they are legally required to act in that way, not just doing so out of convenience or habit.
An example is the principle of diplomatic immunity. Even before it was codified in treaties, states widely accepted that diplomats should not be prosecuted under the host country’s laws. Over time, this practice, combined with the belief that it had legal force, became part of customary international law.
Customary law is important because it applies to all states, even those that are not party to specific treaties, as long as they have not consistently objected during its development. This ensures that certain fundamental principles are widely respected and enforceable.
By recognising customary international law, the international community has a way of formalising long-standing practices and promoting stability in international relations. It shows how international law can grow organically, reflecting both tradition and the shared expectations of states.