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Simple English definitions for legal terms
international law
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A quick definition of international law:
International law is a set of rules that govern how countries interact with each other, as well as how countries and individuals interact. It includes different areas of law, such as economic, security, criminal, environmental, diplomatic, and human rights law. The sources of international law are customary law, which is when countries follow certain practices consistently, and conventional law, which comes from international agreements. International law applies to countries and increasingly to individuals and international organizations. In the United States, international law is only a part of U.S. law when it comes to international rights and duties, but it does not restrict the U.S. from making its own laws for its own territory.
A more thorough explanation:
International law refers to the set of rules and principles that govern the relationships and interactions between nations, as well as between states and individuals, and international organizations. It covers issues related to rights, obligations, and responsibilities of nations and individuals in the international community.
International law includes various fields such as:
- International economic law
- International security law
- International criminal law
- International environmental law
- Diplomatic law
- International humanitarian law, also known as the law of war
- International human rights law
These fields cover different aspects of international relations, such as trade, security, crime, environment, diplomacy, war, and human rights.
The primary sources of international law are customary law and conventional law. Customary international law is based on the consistent practices of states out of a sense of legal obligation. Conventional international law is derived from international agreements, such as treaties, and is binding on the parties that have agreed to it.
International agreements create law for the parties involved, and customary law and laws made by international agreements have equal authority as international law. General principles that are common to national legal systems can also be a secondary source of international law.
Traditionally, individual countries were the main subjects of international law. However, individuals and non-state international organizations have also become subject to international regulation. The United States typically respects the laws of other nations, unless there is some statute or treaty to the contrary. International law is typically a part of U.S. law only for the application of its principles on questions of international rights and duties.
International law can be illustrated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which sets out the legal framework for the use of the world's oceans and their resources. This convention is an example of conventional international law, as it was agreed upon by the parties involved. It also illustrates the domain of international environmental law, as it deals with the protection and conservation of the marine environment.
international humanitarian law | International Monetary Fund