DEFINITION

• International Law encompasses issues in human rights, military rules, business and trade issues. It consists of all laws governing the legal relations between nations.

• International customs and treaties are generally considered to be the two most important sources of International Law.

• Some of the most basic and important topics in International Law include trade regulation between nations, international banking, international business, customs, international arbitration and international taxation.

FIND AN INTERNATIONAL LAW ATTORNEY IN YOUR AREA.

RELATED PRACTICE AREAS

Business & Commercial Law
Environmental Law
Civil Rights
Admiralty & Maritime Law

BUZZWORDS

Ambassador - A public officer clothed with high diplomatic powers, commissioned by a government to transact the international business of his government with a foreign government.

Customs - The duties, toll, tribute, or tariff payable upon merchandise exported or imported.

International Court of Justice - The judicial arm of the United Nations. It has jurisdiction to settle legal disputes between nations.

International Jurisdiction - Power of a court or other organization to hear and determine matters between different countries or persons of different countries or foreign states.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Agency of United Nations established to stabilize international exchange and promote balanced international trade.

Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) - A coordinating group for international law enforcement.

Passport - A document issued by competent authority showing the bearer's origin, identity, and nationality, which is valid for the entry of the bearer into a foreign country.

Security Council - The executive body of the United Nations, charged with the duty of preventing or stopping wars by diplomatic, economic or military action.

Treaty - An agreement or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns, formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns or the supreme power of each state.

United Nations - An organization started by the Allied powers in World War II for the stated purposes of preventing war, providing justice, and promoting welfare and human rights of peoples all over the world.

Visa - Temporary permission to visit a country for a limited time and purpose.

World Bank - An international financial institution whose purposes include assisting the development of its member nations' territories, promoting and supplementing private foreign investment, and promoting long-range balanced growth in international trade.

PRACTICE AREA NOTES

• On a practical level, most individuals and businesses come into the greatest contact with international legal issues through business and commercial activities. As the U.S. economy becomes increasingly involved in the global marketplace, businesses need to be aware of international legal issues that affect their interests.