There is no world government, yet states, international organisations, and increasingly individuals operate every day within a system of binding rules — that system is public international law. Understanding how it works, where it comes from, and how it gets enforced (or does not) is essential for anyone dealing with cross-border relations, human rights, or international disputes.

This course walks participants through the sources of international law, from treaties and custom to the decisions of international courts, and applies them to real areas of practice: statehood and sovereignty, the role of international organisations, human rights protections, international humanitarian law, and the resolution of disputes between states through negotiation, arbitration, or the International Court of Justice.

Who Should Attend?

• Law students building a foundation in international law.
• Lawyers and legal consultants specialising in international practice.
• Government officials and staff of international organisations.
• Anyone who wants to understand the legal framework governing international relations.

Knowledge and Benefits

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles and legal concepts governing relations between states.
• Identify the sources of international law and how treaties interact with domestic legislation.
• Explain the role of international organisations in coordinating the global legal system.
• Analyse how human rights treaties and international humanitarian law protect individuals.
• Apply methods for resolving international disputes, from negotiation to the International Court of Justice.

Module 1: What Public International Law Is (and Is Not)

• Definition and how it differs from domestic law
• How the system evolved and why it matters today
• How relations between states are organised in practice

Module 2: Where International Law Comes From

• Treaties and international agreements, such as the Vienna Convention
• Custom, general principles, and judicial decisions
• How international treaties interact with national law

Module 3: The Main Actors: States, Organisations, and Individuals

• Statehood, recognition, and sovereignty
• The role of international organisations such as the UN and the EU
• Individuals and their emerging place in international law

Module 4: Resolving Disputes Between States

• Peaceful means: negotiation, mediation, and reconciliation
• Arbitration and the International Court of Justice
• Jurisdiction and procedure before the ICJ

Module 5: Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

• The Universal Declaration and core human rights conventions
• International humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions
• Accountability for war crimes and the International Criminal Court's role

Module 6: International Law and Global Trade

• The World Trade Organization's role in regulating trade
• Key trade agreements: GATT and regional frameworks
• Resolving international trade disputes