Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Conventional international law is a set of rules that countries agree to follow by signing treaties. These rules are different from the ones that are followed just because they have always been followed. The International Court of Justice says that these rules come from "international conventions" that are recognized by the countries involved.
Definition: Conventional international law refers to the set of international legal principles that are established through treaties, as opposed to customary international law or other sources of international law. According to Article 38(1)(a) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, conventional international law is derived from "international conventions, whether general or particular, establishing rules expressly recognized by the contesting states."
Examples:
These examples illustrate how conventional international law is established through treaties that are agreed upon by multiple states. The rules and principles outlined in these treaties are then recognized and enforced by the participating states. For example, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes rules for the use and protection of the world's oceans, while the Geneva Conventions outline the rights and protections afforded to prisoners of war and civilians during times of armed conflict.