4.1.2 Main Features of International Law

International law is the system of rules, principles and practices that govern ....

Click the three correct responses.

• relationships within nations

• relationships between nations

• relationships between nations and other international bodies.

• spaces not owned by individual nations, including seas, oceans, airspace, outer space and Antarctica

Australia’s relationship with the United Nations (UN) is part of the system of international law

• True

• False

The rules of international law cover most inter-state activities, including:

Click all that are correct.

• the rules of international communication

• carriage of goods

• trade between nations

• military actions

International law exists to regulate relationships between nation states. However, the effects of international law extend to individuals in all counties.

• True

• False

Being a signatory to the United Nations Charter, and the Universal Declaration, means a nation state has entered into a binding legal obligation to enforce human rights principles within its borders.

• True

• False

International law is not made by any national legal system, but by entities representing the nation states of the world.

• True

• False

International law is not made by a national legal system or parliament, but by entities representing the nation states of the world. This gives rise to the following consequences:

Select the two correct responses.

• International law cannot be enforced in the same way as national laws

• There is can be greater uncertainty on issues that arise in nation states

• International police can arrest and imprison leaders who breach international law

• There are no repercussions at all for breaches of international law

Under the term convention, comes a range of agreements between two or more nation states, including:

• Treaties

• Covenants

• Statutes

• Protocols

• All of the above

What is the most important sources of international law?

• International declarations

• International conventions

• International acts

• International bills

There are many types of conventions (e.g.. Covenants, treaties, statues, protocols) that have similar features. Select all correct features.

• Terms are set out clearly like written contracts

• There are formalities which must be observed for a convention to be binding

• It must state the parties to the agreement that intend it to be binding according to international law

• It must state the parties entered into the agreement voluntarily

• Must be signed by an authorized representative of the nation which wishes to rely on it.