This guide highlights some resources that can be used for researching public international law. Instructions for accessing library databases: Connect to Library Resources and/or Library Access Browser Extension.
Public international law is the body of law that governs the legal rights, duties and obligations between nation states and inter-governmental organizations.
Article 38 (1) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice outlines the primary sources of international law:
- international treaties or conventions. If a treaty applies to a particular situation, it is the primary legal authority.
- international custom, evolving from the practice of states
- general principles of law recognized by civilized nations
- judicial decisions and scholarly ‘teachings’