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WorksheetsInternational Law Quiz
Total questions: 86
Worksheet time: 29mins
Which of the following best distinguishes public international law from private international law?
Public international law governs relations between states; private international law addresses cross-border private disputes
Public international law is always codified; private international law is always customary
Private international law is enforced by the UN
Public international law only applies to individuals
The “persistent objector” rule in customary international law means:
A state can never be bound by any custom
A state that consistently objects to a custom while it is forming is not bound by it
A state must object after the custom is established
Only new states can object to custom
Which of the following is NOT a primary source of international law under Article 38(1) of the ICJ Statute?
International conventions
Judicial decisions
International custom
General principles of law
The principle of “opinio juris” in customary international law refers to:
The duration of state practice
The belief that a practice is carried out as a legal obligation
The number of states following a practice
The economic benefit of a practice
Which of the following is an example of a jus cogens norm?
Diplomatic immunity
Prohibition of genocide
Bilateral trade agreements
Most-favored-nation treatment
Which of the following is a characteristic of “soft law” in international law?
It is always binding
It is non-binding but may influence state behavior
It is enforceable by the ICJ
It is always customary
The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) primarily regulates:
The creation, interpretation, and termination of treaties
The conduct of war
The rights of individuals
The structure of the United Nations
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the formation of customary international law?
General and consistent state practice
Opinio juris
Written codification
Duration of practice
Which of the following is a direct subject of international law?
States
Municipalities
Corporations
NGOs
The principle of pacta sunt servanda means:
Treaties must be observed in good faith
Treaties can be ignored if inconvenient
Only written treaties are binding
Treaties are binding on all states
Which of the following is a material source of international law?
The process of treaty ratification
The substance of state practice
The ICJ Statute
The UN Charter
Which of the following is NOT a recognized exemption from treaty obligations?
Persistent objection
Entering a reservation
Not ratifying the treaty
Signing the treaty
The “Monroe Doctrine” is best described as:
A binding rule of international law
A long-standing policy respected by other states
A UN Security Council resolution
A bilateral treaty
Which of the following is a law-making treaty?
The Geneva Conventions
A bilateral investment treaty
A local ordinance
A diplomatic note
The principle of non-intervention prohibits:
States from trading with each other
States from interfering in the internal affairs of other states
States from joining international organizations
States from signing treaties
Which of the following is NOT an element of a state under international law?
Definite territory
Organized government
International recognition by all states
Permanent population
The “Lotus Principle” (from the Lotus case) established that:
States may act freely unless there is a prohibitive rule in international law
States may only act if expressly permitted
Only the UN can create international law
Customary law is not binding
Which of the following is a consequence of a state’s violation of a peremptory norm (jus cogens)?
The act is void and has no legal effect
The act is valid if ratified by the UN
The act is valid if not objected to
The act is valid if in the state’s interest
Which of the following is a function of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?
Settling legal disputes between states
Prosecuting individuals for war crimes
Enforcing national laws
Drafting treaties
The “persistent objector” rule does NOT apply to:
Jus cogens norms
Customary law
Treaty law
Soft law
Which of the following is a formal source of international law?
Custom
Judicial decisions
National constitutions
UN General Assembly resolutions
The principle of “sovereign equality” means:
All states have equal rights and duties under international law
All states have equal populations
All states have equal economic power
All states must have the same form of government
Which of the following is NOT a subject of international law?
States
International organizations
Individuals
Municipal governments
The “opinio juris” requirement for custom is best demonstrated by:
States acting out of convenience
States acting out of a sense of legal obligation
States acting for economic gain
States acting for political gain
Which of the following is a multilateral treaty?
The UN Charter
A trade agreement between two countries
A local ordinance
A diplomatic note
Which of the following is NOT a recognized subject of international law?
States
Protectorates
Municipalities
The Vatican
The “persistent objector” rule protects:
All states
Only the state that consistently objected while the custom was forming
Only new states
Only states that object after the custom is formed
Which of the following is a requirement for a state to be considered a “persistent objector”?
Objecting after the custom is formed
Consistently objecting while the custom is forming
Objecting only once
Never objecting
Which of the following is a key difference between “hard law” and “soft law”?
Hard law is always non-binding; soft law is always binding;
Hard law is binding and enforceable; soft law is non-binding
Hard law is always customary; soft law is always treaty-based
There is no difference
Which of the following is a bilateral treaty?
The UN Charter
A trade agreement between two countries
The Geneva Conventions
The Law of the Sea Convention
Which of the following is a requirement for the formation of customary international law?
Only one state must follow the practice
Practice must be recognized as legally obligatory (opinio juris)
Practice must be written
Practice must be registered with the UN
Which of the following is NOT a basis for exemption from a treaty?
Persistent objection
Entering a reservation
Not ratifying the treaty
Signing the treaty
Which of the following is a subject of international law with limited or incomplete personality?
Protectorates
States
The United Nations
Individuals
Which of the following is a key principle of the law of treaties?
Treaties are binding only if registered with the UN
Treaties are binding upon the parties that consent to them
Treaties are binding on all states
Treaties can be ignored at will
Which of the following is a universal human rights treaty?
The Geneva Conventions
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Treaty of Westphalia
The Kyoto Protocol
Which of the following is a function of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
Settling trade disputes
Prosecuting war crimes
Enforcing human rights
Maintaining international peace
Which of the following is a principle of diplomatic immunity?
Diplomats are subject to local laws
Diplomats cannot be prosecuted by the host country
Diplomats must obey all local customs
Diplomats can be arrested for minor offenses
Which of the following is a key principle of humanitarian law?
Non-intervention
Protection of civilians during armed conflict
State sovereignty
Diplomatic immunity
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of international law?
It is based on consent
It is enforced by a world government
It governs relations between states
It includes treaties and customs
Which of the following is an example of a non-binding international instrument (“soft law”)?
UN General Assembly resolutions
Treaties
Customary law
Judicial decisions
Which of the following is a key principle of the law of state responsibility?
States are responsible for all acts of their nationals
States are responsible for internationally wrongful acts
States are never responsible for breaches of international law
Only individuals are responsible
Which of the following is a requirement for a state to be considered a “subject” of international law?
It must be recognized by all other states
It must possess international rights and duties
It must have a large population
It must be a member of the UN
Which of the following is NOT a function of the International Court of Justice?
Settling legal disputes between states
Prosecuting individuals for war crimes
Giving advisory opinions
Interpreting international law
Which of the following is a limitation on state sovereignty?
International law
National law
Local ordinances
Customary practices
Which of the following is a principle of “universal jurisdiction”?
States can prosecute any crime committed anywhere in the world
States can prosecute certain serious crimes regardless of where they were committed
States can only prosecute crimes committed within their territory
States can only prosecute their own nationals
Which of the following is a requirement for a treaty to be binding on a state?
Signature
Ratification
Registration with the UN
Approval by the ICJ
Which of the following is a principle of “state immunity”?
States can be sued in any court
States are generally immune from the jurisdiction of foreign courts
States are always liable for acts of their officials
States have no immunity
Which of the following is a function of the United Nations Security Council?
Maintaining international peace and security
Drafting treaties
Prosecuting war crimes
Enforcing national laws
Which of the following is a principle of “self-determination”?
Peoples have the right to freely determine their political status
States can determine the status of other states
Only the UN can grant independence
Only recognized states have rights
Which of the following is a requirement for a custom to become binding international law?
It must be written
It must be registered with the UN
It must be generally and consistently practiced and accepted as law (opinio juris)
It must be approved by the ICJ
The ICJ can settle disputes between individuals and states.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
C. NEITHER TRUE NOR FALSE
D. MAYBE
Customary international law requires both general practice and opinio juris.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
C. MAYBE
D. NEITHER TRUE NOR FALSE
The “persistent objector” rule applies to jus cogens norms.
TRUE
FALSE
Treaties are binding only on the parties that consent to them.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a binding treaty.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
States are the only subjects of international law.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties regulates the creation and termination of treaties.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
Diplomatic immunity protects diplomats from prosecution by the host country.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
International law is always enforced by a world government.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The WTO settles trade disputes between states.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The principle of non-intervention prohibits states from interfering in the internal affairs of other states.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
A state must have a permanent population, territory, government, and capacity to enter into relations with other states.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
Soft law is non-binding but may influence state behavior.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The “Monroe Doctrine” is a binding rule of international law.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The ICJ can give advisory opinions to international organizations.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The principle of pacta sunt servanda means treaties must be observed in good faith.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The “Lotus Principle” allows states to act freely unless prohibited by international law.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The principle of “universal jurisdiction” allows states to prosecute certain crimes regardless of where they were committed.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The UN Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The principle of “self-determination” gives peoples the right to freely determine their political status.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
The (a) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
(a) international law is based on long-standing practices accepted as law.
The ______ is responsible for maintaining international peace and security under the UN.
The principle of ______ means that treaties must be observed in good faith.
The (a) Declaration of Human Rights is a universal human rights document.
The International Criminal Court prosecutes individuals for (a) , war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The principle of ______ prohibits states from interfering in the internal affairs of other states.
(a) treaties involve more than two states.
The concept of (a) means states have supreme authority within their territory.
(a) law governs the conduct of armed conflict and protects civilians.
The (a) of The Hague is the seat of the International Court of Justice.
(a) is a primary source of international law, along with custom and general principles.
The principle of (a) jurisdiction allows states to prosecute certain serious crimes regardless of where they were committed.
(a) immunity protects diplomats from prosecution by the host country.
The (a) Trade Organization settles trade disputes between states.
The (a) is responsible for maintaining international peace and security under the UN.
