Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL LAW

Introduction

1. Before you start, work in small groups and brainstorm all the information you already know about international law. Use the box below to note anything that comes to your mind, then compare your ideas with other students.

2. Before you read, explain these expressions in English:

International law is an expression used for a specific legal branch, which governs relationships of independent nations, international organizations and institutions. It includes relationships of these subjects with each other but also their relationships with individuals. The United Nations Organization is currently a key player in the sphere of international law.

We recognize two main disciplines under the international law:

• Public International Law governs the relationships of states and international subjects. It includes for instance international humanitarian law, treaty law or the law of the sea, EU legislation, etc.
• Private international law, or conflicts of law, deals with controversies between private persons arising out of situation which have significant relationship to more than one nation. [1]

Recently, however, the boundaries between the public and private international law have blurred as there are more and more cases of private international law that imply consequences of international character and there are cases of public international law that refer to individuals, especially in the context of the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction.

3. Explain the difference between public and private international law and give example of each: