International Law Overview
International Law Resources
What is international law?
International law, commonly referred to as "public international law," regulates relations and activities between nations. It also contains rules regarding the operations of international organizations, such as the United Nations. In addition, it governs state treatment of individuals and juridical persons (i.e., non-natural persons, such as a corporation, association or partnership).
International law is distinct from "private international law" (also known as "conflict of laws"), which regulates dealings between individuals and juridical persons from different nations.
Note that international law refers to nations as sovereign states. In this context, sovereign states does not mean states within a nation. Furthermore, in the United States, individual states lack authority to engage in international dealings. The U.S. Constitution explicitly denies states this power, and vests it with the federal government. (U.S. Const. Art. I, § 10).
International law encompasses several areas, such as international trade, the creation and dissolution of states, use of force (regarding when a state may initiate force against another state), armed conflict ("humanitarian law", which regulates how a state conducts an armed conflict), human rights (which are set forth in several international instruments, such as the Declaration of Human Rights), refugees, crimes, environment, labor, the sea, air space, and postal services.
Show Extended SummaryFeatured Cases 
- The World Bank's Inspection Panel: Promoting True Accountability Through Arbitration
Cornell International Law Journal, Vol. 41, No. 3, August, 2008, U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 08-10 Enrique R. Carrasco and Alison K. Guernsey University of Iowa College of Law and J.D. Candidate 2008 - College of Law - University of Iowa Date Posted: May 22, 2008 Last Revised: May 22, 2008
(May 21, 2008) - A Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Palestine/Israel: Healing Spirit Injuries
Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 17, No. 139, 2008, U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 08-16 Adrien K. Wing University of Iowa, College of Law Date Posted: May 22, 2008 Last Revised: May 22, 2008
(May 21, 2008) - How to Entrench a De Facto State Church in Russia: A Guide in Progress
Robert C. Blitt University of Tennessee College of Law Date Posted: May 22, 2008 Last Revised: May 22, 2008
(May 21, 2008) - Constitutionalism, Legal Reform, and the Economic Development of Palestinian Women
Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 15, No. 655, 2006, U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 08-15 Adrien K. Wing University of Iowa, College of Law Date Posted: May 22, 2008 Last Revised: May 22, 2008
(May 21, 2008) - The Scope of Executive Power in the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction
Boston University Law Review, Vol. 88, p. 341, 2008, Boston Univ. School of Law Working Paper No. 08-17 Robert D. Sloane Boston University School of Law Date Posted: May 7, 2008 Last Revised: May 20, 2008
(May 19, 2008)
Legislation 
- Bill Sent To President: H.R.2419 Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007
To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.
May 15, 2008: Cleared for White House.
(May 13, 2008) - Bill Enacted: S.2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes.
May 08, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-229.
(May 6, 2008) - Bill Introduced: H.Res.1166 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding ...
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia.
(April 27, 2008) - Bill Introduced: H.R.5916 Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2008
To reform the administration of the Arms Export Control Act, and for other purposes.
(April 27, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.2917 Syria Accountability and Liberation Act
A bill to strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria, and for other purposes.
(April 22, 2008)
Regulations 
- Proposed Rule - Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: The United States ...
Department of State
Proposed Rule
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations:
The United States Munitions List; Correction,
28863 [C8-1122]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 121 [Public Notice 6187] RIN 1400-AC47 Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: The United States Munitions List Correction Sec. 121.1 [Corrected] In proposed rule document 08-1122 beginning on page 19778 in the issue of Friday, April 11, 2008, make the following correction: On page 19780, in the first column, in Sec. 121.1(b), in the first line, ``(b)'' should read ``*(b)''. [FR Doc. C8-1122 Filed 5-16-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1505-01-D [read document]
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(May 18, 2008) - Rule - Visas: Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act
Department of State
Rule
Visas:
Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act,
23067-23069 [E8-9336]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Parts 40 and 41 [Public Notice: 6202] Visas: Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Department of State's regulations related to application for a nonimmigrant visa, to offer a completely electronic application procedure as an alternative to submission of the Form DS-156. DATES: This rule is effective on April 29, 2008. FOR FURTHER... [read document]
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(April 28, 2008) - Proposed Rule - Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: The United States ...
Department of State
Proposed Rule
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations:
The United States Munitions List,
19778-19780 [08-1122]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 121 [Public Notice 6187] RIN 1400-AC47 Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: The United States Munitions List AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Proposed Rule. SUMMARY: The Department of State is proposing to amend the text of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Part 121, to add language clarifying how the criteria of Section 17(c) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (``EAA'') are implemented in accordance with the... [read document]
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(April 10, 2008) - Rule - Documents Required for Travelers Departing From or Arriving in the United States at Sea ...
Department of State
Rule
Documents Required for Travelers Departing From or Arriving in the United States at Sea and Land Ports-of-Entry from within the Western Hemisphere,
18384-18420 [E8-6725]
Part III Department of Homeland Security Department of State 8 CFR Parts 212 and 235 22 Parts 41 and 53 Documents Required for Travelers Departing From or Arriving in the United States at Sea and Land Ports-of-Entry From Within the Western Hemisphere; Designation of an Enhanced Driver's License and Identity Document Issued by the State of Washington as a Travel Document Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Institute; Final Rule and Notice DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY [USCBP 2007-0061] RIN... [read document]
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(April 1, 2008) - Rule - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Amendment to the International Traffic in ...
Department of State
Rule
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations,
15885 [E8-6019]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 123 [Public Notice: 6147] Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), to clarify United States policy to allow for reexports or retransfers of U.S.-origin components incorporated into a foreign defense article to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),... [read document]
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(March 24, 2008)
Government 
- Notice - Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: Women ...
Department of State
Notice
Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations:
Women Impressionists: Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzales, Marie Bracquemond,
29834 [E8-11533]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6233] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ``Women Impressionists: Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzales, Marie Bracquemond'' SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22... [read document]
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(May 21, 2008) - Notice - Certifications (Pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162)
Department of State
Notice
Certifications (Pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162),
29549 [E8-11380]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6214] Certifications Pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162 SUMMARY: On May 1, 2008, the Department of State certified, pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162 (``Section 609''), that 16 nations have adopted programs to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles in their shrimp fisheries comparable to the program in effect in the United States. The Department also certified that the fishing environments in 24 other countries and one economy,... [read document]
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(May 20, 2008) - Notice - Arms Export Control Act
Department of State
Notice
Arms Export Control Act,
29172 [E8-11255]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6232] Determination and Certification Under Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act Pursuant to Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2781), and Executive Order 11958, as amended, I hereby determine and certify to the Congress that the following countries are not cooperating fully with United States antiterrorism efforts: Cuba; Eritrea; Iran; North Korea; Syria; Venezuela. I hereby notify that the decision to retain the certification of... [read document]
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(May 19, 2008) - Notice - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' Strategic Objectives
Department of State
Notice
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' Strategic Objectives,
28852-28853 [E8-11029]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6229] Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' Strategic Objectives DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to July 18, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by any of the following methods: Persons with access to the Internet may view this notice and provide comments by going to the regulations.gov Web site at: http://www.regulations.gov/index.cfm. Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): U.S. Department of State,... [read document]
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(May 18, 2008) - Notice - Meetings: Overseas Security Advisory Council
Department of State
Notice
Meetings:
Overseas Security Advisory Council,
28853 [E8-11136]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6211] Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Meeting Notice; Closed Meeting The Department of State announces a meeting of the U.S. State Department--Overseas Security Advisory Council on June 19, 2008 at the George Bush Center for Intelligence, McLean, Virginia. Pursuant to Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(7)(E), it has been determined that the meeting will be closed to the public. The meeting... [read document]
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(May 18, 2008)
Articles 
- A Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Palestine/Israel: Healing Spirit Injuries
Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 17, No. 139, 2008, U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 08-16 Adrien K. Wing University of Iowa, College of Law Date Posted: May 22, 2008 Last Revised: May 22, 2008
(May 21, 2008) - How to Entrench a De Facto State Church in Russia: A Guide in Progress
Robert C. Blitt University of Tennessee College of Law Date Posted: May 22, 2008 Last Revised: May 22, 2008
(May 21, 2008) - Constitutionalism, Legal Reform, and the Economic Development of Palestinian Women
Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 15, No. 655, 2006, U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 08-15 Adrien K. Wing University of Iowa, College of Law Date Posted: May 22, 2008 Last Revised: May 22, 2008
(May 21, 2008) - The Silver Lining in Dailymotion's Copyright Cloud
U. of Edinburgh School of Law Research Paper No. 1, 4/19/2008 Nicolas Jondet University of Edinburgh Date Posted: May 21, 2008 Last Revised: May 21, 2008
(May 20, 2008) - Internally Displaced Persons and Indigenous Peoples: The Necessity of a Special Protection ...
International Law Review, Vol. 9, 2007 Carlos Iván Fuentes McGill University - Centre for Human Rights & Legal Pluralism Date Posted: May 21, 2008 Last Revised: May 21, 2008
(May 20, 2008)
News 
- Rights commission urges SA to sign treaties
Citizen, South Africa - 41 minutes ago
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa has not yet ratified at least four international treaties that protect human rights, including one on the protection of migrant ...
(May 21, 2008)
RTE.ie
Ictu votes to support Lisbon Treaty Yes vote
Irish Times, Ireland - 4 hours ago
The executive council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has voted to support a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum. At a meeting in Dublin this ...
Ictu backs Lisbon Treaty The Press Association
Irish Ire May Stall Wall Street Journal
ICTU to make Lisbon decision RTE.ie
Belfast Telegraph - Irish Independentall 16 news articles
(May 21, 2008)- CzechRep counts with EU presidency even without Lisbon treaty
Czech Happenings, Czech Republic - 59 minutes ago
Prague- The Czech government is preparing two scenarios for EU presidency in the first half of 2009 - with the Lisbon treaty and without it, deputy prime ...
(May 21, 2008) - SA-US extradition treaty in spotlight
Independent Online, South Africa - May 21, 2008
His counsel relied on claims that the Extradition Treaty between the US and South Africa was invalid. The US magistrate turned down the application and said ...
(May 20, 2008) - Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and ATCO Embark Upon Historic ...
FOXBusiness - May 21, 2008
CALGARY, ALBERTA, May 20, 2008 (Marketwire via COMTEX) ----Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and ATCO today signed a Letter of Intent to explore business ...
(May 20, 2008)
Blog Posts 
- German Annotation on first ECJ Judgment on Brussels II bis
In November 2007, the ECJ delivered its first judgment on the Brussels II bis Regulation (C-435/06, Applicant C). Anatol Dutta (Hamburg) has now commented on this judgment in the German legal journal "Zeitschrift für das gesamte Familienrecht" (FamRZ): "Staatliches Wächteramt und europäisches Kindschaftsverfahrensrecht. Die Anwendbarkeit der Brüssel-IIa-Verordnung auf staatliche Maßnahmen zum Schutz des Kindes", FamRZ 2008, [...] [Click on the title above to view the full item on Conflict...
(May 20, 2008) - SMEs suffering through china investments due to US economy
Last week, Bill Dodson posted " Strategic Tectonics in China Investment" at This is China! (a clever wordplay on the earthquake I bet), and I thought portions were worth sharing. So before you march into China thinking that there is money to be made as an expat, or before you think sourcing in a major [...]
(May 20, 2008) - The Search for a True African Renaissance
I want to thank IntLawGrrls for inviting me to contribute a guest post to this extraordinary forum. In a few months, I will participate in a conference on African Customary law hosted by Fordham's Leitner Center for International Law and Justice. My paper will address Africa's all-too familiar problems in a new way. The Black Continent's current woes resemble Europe's experience during the Middle Ages: civil wars, famine, diseases, epidemics, raging fundamentalism, and rampant illiteracy. But...
(May 20, 2008) - A Holiday Just for Us
Yesterday was the anniversary of the passage of the Tariff Act of 1828, commonly known as the Tariff of Abominations. I suggest that May 19 be declared a minor holiday for customs lawyers in America. The Tariff of Abominations resulted from one of those great legislative follies in which a bill is put before Congress on the theory that no one will support it and then political hay can be made by blaming the defeat of the bill on political opponents. In this case, the southern states put...
(May 20, 2008) - New Issue: Netherlands International Law Review
The latest issue of the Netherlands International Law Review (Vol. 55, no. 1, May 2008) is out. Contents include: Duncan French, 'From Seoul With Love' - The Continuing Relevance of the 1986 Seoul ILA Declaration on Progressive Development of Principles of Public International Law Relating to A New International Economic Order Ebenezer Durojaye, Compulsory Licensing and Access to Medicines in Post Doha Era: What Hope for Africa? Anguel Anastassov, Can The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty...
(May 20, 2008)