Public International Law

Public international law is the body of rules that is legally binding on States and international organizations in their interactions with other States, international organizations, individuals, and other entities. It covers a range of activities; such as, diplomatic relations, conduct of war, trade, human rights and sharing of oceanic resources. For example, international law sets out legal obligations, responsibilities, and rights of one State against another. It is evolving. International law covers diverse subjects and has multiple fields of application. For example, we find that international law applies, inter alia, to: initiation of wars (laws relating to use of force); conduct of war (humanitarian law); trade and investment; treatment of people (human rights law), and to certain crimes (international criminal law).