Public International law

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An Introduction to Public International Law

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Welcome to Public International Law

This blog introduces students to principles of public international law.

This blog was created in 2011 to provide students with free resources on public international law, with the aim to facilitate equal access to learning material, irrespective of their backgrounds.

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Case Summaries

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This section contains summaries of cases of the International Court of Justice, regional courts, and domestic courts.

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Case Summaries

Customary Law

North Sea Continental Shelf Cases
A maritime boundaries dispute between Germany, Netherlands and Denmark. When does State practice become customary law?
ICJ, 1969.

Use of Force

Nicaragua Case
Military and paramilitary activities of the US in Nicaragua. Did the US violate the use of force principles?
ICJ, 1986.

State Immunity

Germany vs Italy
Italian courts allow civil claims against Germany. Did Italy violate Germany’s jurisdictional immunity rights?
ICJ, 2012.

Occupation

DRC vs Uganda
Ugandan troops in the DRC. Did Uganda occupy DRC territory?
ICJ, 2005.

Jurisdiction

Lotus Case
A collision in the high seas between a French and a Turkish vessel. Can Turkey exercise its jurisdiction over a French national?
PCIJ, 1987.

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Basic Concepts of International Law

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This section answers some of the basic questions when learning international law.

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Dr. Ruwanthika Gunaratne

Ruwanthika Gunaratne is a lawyer specializing in international law, international humanitarian law, sanctions and gender. The views expressed may not necessarily reflect those of any organization with which the author is or has been affiliated.

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© Ruwanthika Gunaratne and Public International Law at https://ruwanthikagunaratne.wordpress.com, 2008 – 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ruwanthika Gunaratne and Public International Law with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Latest Posts

When Did the Conflict in Yemen Begin?

For those of you who are interested in the legal criteria relating to the beginning of a conflict, I recently published an article with a former colleague in Lawfare on the commencement of the conflict in Yemen.  In this article we analyze the law next to the facts to determine when the conflict in Yemen…

by Dakshinie Ruwanthika Gunaratne July 6, 2018July 4, 2018

Starvation as a Method of Warfare: Resolution 2417 (2018)

In a recent article published by Just Security I analyze the term “starvation as a method of warfare” (a term found in international humanitarian law), and I argue that the recent Security Council Resolution 2417 (2017) should not have restricted itself to considering starvation solely from the viewpoint of its use a method of warfare.…

by Dakshinie Ruwanthika Gunaratne July 5, 2018September 8, 2020

Armed Activities Case: DRC vs Uganda (use of force and non-State actors)

In this post, we focus on the ICJ’s jurisprudence on: 1) the use of force, self-defense, and non-intervention; 2) Uganda’s responsibility for actions of certain non-State actors; 3) the extra-territorial application of human rights; and 4) Uganda’s responsibility for the illegal exploitation of natural resources.

by Dakshinie Ruwanthika Gunaratne April 2, 2018September 5, 2020

Armed Activities Case: DRC vs Uganda (Issues relating to Occupation)

This is the second in a series of posts on the Armed Activities Case. This post asks if Uganda was an occupying power in the DRC and if so, what were its responsibilities in the occupied territories.

by Dakshinie Ruwanthika Gunaratne March 29, 2018September 8, 2020

Armed Activities Case: DRC vs Uganda (Consent for Military Operations in Foreign Territory)

In this blog post, we focus on the ICJ jurisprudence relating to consent to conduct military operations in a foreign territory. The ICJ held that the consent/ authorization provided by the DRC to Uganda was limited in time, objectives and geographic location.

by Dakshinie Ruwanthika Gunaratne March 28, 2018September 8, 2020

VII. ICJ cases where ICJ refused to proceed to merits of the case or to provide an advisory opinion (1984 – 2017)

This post summarizes those situations where the ICJ concluded that it did not have the relevant jurisdiction to decide on the issue presented before it, or to provide an advisory opinion. This was because, for example, one of the parties had made reservations to some treaties in a manner that did not allow the Court…

by Dakshinie Ruwanthika Gunaratne August 20, 2017September 8, 2020

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