IV: Paper-II : Public International Law

Subject introduction

Public International Law: This subject explores the foundational legal principles, customs, and treaties governing the community of nations. Students study state recognition, state succession, state territory, the legal status of individuals, diplomatic immunities, and specialized maritime, airspace, and outer space regimes, alongside the structure and jurisdiction of major international bodies like the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and global trade or health agencies.

Syllabus

PAPER - II

PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

• Unit-I: Definition, Nature, Scope and Importance of International Law, Relation of International Law to Municipal Law, Sources of International Law, Codification.

• Unit-II: State Recognition, State Succession, Responsibility of States for International delinquencies, State Territory, Modes of acquiring State Territory.

• Unit-III: Position of Individual in International Law, Nationality, Extradition, Asylum, Privileges and Immunities of Diplomatic Envoys, Treaties (Formation of Treaties, Modes of Consent, Reservation and termination).

• Unit-IV: The Legal Regime of the Seas (Evolution of the Law of the Sea, Freedoms of the High Seas, Common Heritage of Mankind, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas), Legal Regime of Airspace (Important Conventions relating to Airspace - Paris, Havana, Warsaw and Chicago Conventions, Five Freedoms of Air), Legal Regime of Outer space (Important Conventions such as Outer space Treaty, Agreement on Rescue and Return of Astronauts, Liability Convention, and Agreement on Registration of Space objects, Moon Treaty, Unispace).

• Unit-V: International Organizations (League of Nations and United Nations, International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court), Specialized agencies of the UN (WHO, UNESCO, ILO, IMF and WTO).

• Suggested Readings:

  1. J.G. Starke: Introduction to International Law, Aditya Books, 10th Edition, 1989.

  2. J.L. Brierly: The Law of Nations, Oxford Publishers, London.

  3. Ian Brownlie: Principles of Public International Law, Oxford Publishers, London.

  4. S.K. Kapoor, Public International Law, Central Law Agencies, Allahabad.

  5. H.O. Agarwal, International Law and Human Rights, Central Law Publications, Allahabad.

  6. S.K. Verma, An Introduction to Public International Law, Prentice Hall of India.

Unit-wise notes

Quick Reference

Important Acts and sections

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