Legal Definitions - international law

International law is a comprehensive system of rules, principles, and agreements that governs the relationships between countries, international organizations, and, in some cases, individuals across national borders. Its primary goal is to foster order, cooperation, and justice in global affairs. It addresses a vast array of issues, ranging from international trade and environmental protection to human rights, diplomatic relations, and the conduct of armed conflict.

This body of law is primarily created through two main sources:

• Conventional international law, which comes from formal agreements between nations, such as treaties, conventions, and pacts. These agreements create binding obligations for the countries that sign and ratify them.
• Customary international law, which arises from the consistent and widespread practice of states that they follow out of a sense of legal obligation, rather than mere habit or courtesy.

While traditionally focused on interactions between sovereign nations, international law increasingly impacts and regulates the actions of international organizations and even individuals, particularly in areas like human rights and international criminal justice.

Examples of International Law in Action:

• The Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Many countries around the world signed and ratified this international treaty, committing to specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

  How this illustrates international law: This is a prime example of conventional international law. Sovereign nations voluntarily agreed to a set of rules and obligations to address a shared global environmental challenge. The agreement establishes a framework for international cooperation, reporting, and accountability among signatory states, demonstrating how international law governs their collective action and responsibilities towards each other and the planet.

• Prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC): A former head of state is indicted and tried by the ICC for committing genocide and crimes against humanity during a civil conflict in their country.

  How this illustrates international law: This demonstrates how international law, specifically international criminal law and international humanitarian law, can hold individuals accountable for the most severe international crimes. Even though the individual was a national leader, international legal principles allow for their prosecution by an international body, showing that international law can extend its reach beyond just states to individuals who violate fundamental global norms.

• Dispute over Fishing Rights in Shared Waters: Two neighboring countries, "Atlantia" and "Pacifica," have a long-standing disagreement over the exact boundary of their exclusive economic zones and fishing rights in a rich fishing ground that lies between them. They agree to submit their dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a binding resolution.

  How this illustrates international law: This scenario exemplifies how international law provides mechanisms for resolving disputes between nations. The ICJ, an international judicial body, applies principles of public international law, including customary international law and relevant treaties (like the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), to determine the maritime boundaries and fishing rights. This prevents potential conflict and ensures an orderly resolution based on established legal principles governing the relations between states.