Legal Definitions - law between states

Law Between States refers to the body of rules, principles, and customs that govern the relationships and interactions between independent countries (states) and other international actors, such as international organizations. It is more commonly known as international law. This framework helps nations cooperate, resolve disputes, and maintain order on a global scale, even though there isn't a single global government to enforce it.

Here are some examples illustrating how the law between states operates:

• Example 1: International Climate Agreements

  Imagine several nations signing a treaty, like the Paris Agreement, committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. This agreement sets out specific targets and reporting requirements for each signatory country. This illustrates the law between states because it's a formal agreement (a treaty) voluntarily entered into by sovereign nations, establishing shared rules and obligations that govern their environmental policies and cooperation on a global issue.

• Example 2: Maritime Boundaries and Shipping Lanes

  Consider the rules governing international shipping, such as those established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This convention defines territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, and the rights of passage for ships through international straits. For instance, it dictates that a cargo ship from one country has the right to innocent passage through the territorial waters of another country, provided it does not threaten the peace, good order, or security of that state. This is an example of the law between states because it's a comprehensive international treaty that establishes a common legal framework for how nations manage and share the world's oceans, defining their rights and responsibilities concerning maritime activities.

• Example 3: Diplomatic Immunity

  When a diplomat from one country is stationed in another, they are typically granted diplomatic immunity, meaning they are exempt from the laws and jurisdiction of the host country for certain acts. For example, if a foreign ambassador commits a minor traffic violation, they cannot be arrested or prosecuted by the host country's police. This practice is codified in international agreements like the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This demonstrates the law between states because it's an internationally recognized principle and treaty obligation that dictates how countries must treat each other's official representatives, ensuring they can perform their duties without undue interference from the host government.