International Law Most Important Topics with Questions

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All of these Questions are taken from Past papers till CSS 2017

Introduction of International Law

Explain in detail the object, purpose and basis of international law.
Give such a definition of Int Law which could cover all the modern trends in it?
Define International Law. Do you agree with John Austin’s concept “International Law is not a true law, but a positive international morality”? Elaborate your answer with appropriate arguments. ( Repeated )
International Law is Oxymoronic. Argue.
International law is a product of centuries - elaborate the statement in view of the scientific development and codification of the law.
What is the relationship between Positive Law Theory, Natural Law Theory and International Law? How these theories contributed in the evolution of International Law?
“International Law is a Law regulating the rights and duties of states and creating no rights and imposing no duties on individuals”. Do u agree with this statement? Why or why not? Argue.
"International Law is primarily concerned with the rights, duties and intersts of states." Examine this statement wiht reference to the place of individuals and non-state entities is International Law.
What does Subjects of international law mean? Discuss individuals as subjects of International Law. Elaborate your answer with the appropriate examples.
What is meant by 'Subjects of Int Law'? Justify Individuals as the subject of Int Law by giving appropriate examples.
Briefly and precisely define SUBJECTS International Law. Do you agree that INDIVIDUALS can be considered as subjects of International Law? Give appropriate examples in this regard.
Define International personality and discuss various entities as International Legal person.
Define State jurisdiction and explain how domestic jurisdiction can be limited by and reduced by principles of International Law?

"In the absence of any form of international legislature of democratic states, international law was said to be based upon the consent of the states upon their individual acceptance of its principles and rules." Discuss.


State Recognition, Jurisdiction and Use Of Force

What do you understand by 'Recognition of States' and 'Recognition of Governments’? Explain fully the distinction between ‘Recognition Dejure’ and ‘Recognition Defacto’.
Discuss the term “State jurisdiction“ with reference to

(a) Maritime belt
(b) Port
(c) Foreigners
(d) Floating island
"What is meant by RECOGNITION of STATES as a member of FAMILY of NATIONS? State the different modes of such recognition.
Describe the legal nature of recognition of states, with particular reference to difference between defacto and Dejure recognition.
Discuss Recognition. Differentiate between de-jure and de-facto recognition. What are the disabilities of an unrecognized state?
Define Recognition. Differentiate between Defacto and Dejure Recognition.
Define Recognition and explain its kinds. Also point out the difference between recognition of states and governments.
What are Jurisdictional constraints to the right of self-determination in context to Montevideo Convention on the recognition of state?
What is the role of state recognition in the commencement of existence of a state? What are the rules that govern the issues that arise out of a state ceasing to exist?
“Non-recognition of a government can be amounted to denying the recognition of the state itself as it is the governments that do international business on behalf of the states.” Argue in affirmative this statement with particular reference to Constitutive Theory of Recognition.
"The Subject of Recognition is one of the most difficult branches of international law, not merely from the points of view of exposition of principles, but also intrinsically by reason of manyh difficulties which arise in practice." Discuss
Fully explain the duties of a Sovereign State with special reference to:

(a) Not to interfere in the domestic affairs of another state
(b) To refrain from use of threat of use force against another state
What is the duty of other states in case of internal revolt in an independent state? Can they help the rebels? Under what circumstances recognition may be accorded to the rebels?
States continue to be the principal subjects of international legal relations but non-state entities too exert a great deal of influence on the legal system. Examine the statement with reference to rights and duties of international organizations under law.
The frequent ‘Interventions’ have challenged the validity of some of fundamental principles of International Law. What are those principles? Discuss in the light of interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq by the super-powers.
Territory is undoubtedly the basic character of a state as well as widely accepted elaborate with reference to exclusive rights of states on Land and Air territory.
Does the customary international law grant the right to use force to a state in response to a terrorist attack on it? Substantiate your answer by arguing from Article 51 and Paragraph 4 of the Article 2 of the UN Charter and other recent examples in this regard.
“Whatever the morality of intervention, states have no right under International Law to intervene on the territory of other states in order to prevent alleged crimes against humanity or to uphold human rights norms.” Discuss.
Discuss various modes of Acquisition of Territorial Sovereignty by the states acknowledged in Int Law.
Lord Curzon once said, “Frontiers are indeed the razor’s edge on which hang suspended the modern issues of war or peace, of life or death to nations.” Explain in this light the various modes of acquisition of territory by a state.
Important Cases
Enamurate the principles of International Law involved in the decision of Corfu Channel Case. Assess the impact that decision on the growth and development of International Law.

Law of Sea

Discuss the extent to which a state can claim jurisdiction over the high seas in war and peace. Is an appropriation by a state of the underwater soil allowed in International Law?
Define High Seas. Explain the concept of Freedom of High Seas along-with restrictions over it.
Why is the third UN convention on the law of sea (UNCLOS-III) considered a vast diplomatic and legal undertaking and what has made it different to the earlier efforts on the subject ?
Territorial Limits
"What ever be the generally accepted rules governing the outer limit of the territorial limit of the territorial sea this issue, and others like it, will be settled in many cases on the basis of the principles of acquiescence and opposability". Discuss


Treaty and Covention and Sources of International Law

What are the sources of International Law? Discuss any two of them in detail.
Define a ‘Treaty’. State how are they concluded and terminated?- Explain it in the light of Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969
"Treaties are known by a variety of differing names, ranging from conventions, international agreements, pacts, general acts, and charters through to statutes, declarations and conventions.' Discuss in the light of laws of its formation, interpretation and termination.
Explain the sources of International Law in the light of Article 38(1) of the Statute of International Court of Justice.
Explain the basic difference between Primary and Subsidiary sources of International Law.
How far do you think that International Law is based on common consent of States? Evaluate importance of customary law and treaty law as binding in this regard
"When all has been said it will be found that consent remains firmly the basis of international law, and there are as many, and only as many, sources of international law as there are ways whereby the consent of states can be expressed"? Discuss
Coercion against a state renders a treaty invalid. Discuss main features of the principle. Also elaborate two other methods of rendering invalid the consent of a state to be bound by a treaty. ( Question repeated in CSS )
What are the various kinds of treaties in international law? Explain the laws about formation, interpretation and termination of treaties.
State and discuss in brief the various steps mentioned by STARKE in the creation of legal obligation by a treaty.
While customs form the major part of Internatiomal law it is conventions that make it more authentic and applicable. Discuss.
"As the basis of the Law of Nations is the common consent of the member states of the Family of Nations, it is evident there must exist as many sources of international law as there are facts through which such common consent can possibly come into existence." (Oppenheim). Discuss

State and discuss in brief the various steps mentioned by starke in the creation of legal obligation by a treaty
How are ‘Prisoners of war’ to be treated under International Law? Explain with reference to various conventions.
Nationality
Explain the various modes of acquiring and losing NATIONALITY. What is DOUBLE NATIONALITY and STATELESSNESS?
Intervention
Explain with reference to the relevant articles of the UN Charter that whether the world body is authorized to intervene in the domestic jurisdiction of its member states.


United Nation and Security Coucil

How far has the United Nation succeeded in developing a comprehensive system of Human Rights protection? Can emphasis on social justice and Human rights lead to a stable International Order?
Keeping in view the objectives of the charter seeking to establish a mechanism of peace and security how far has United Nations succeeded in confronting changes in Global society?
Keeping in view the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). What can be a reform agenda in your opinion for making the UN more effective ?
"The office of the Secretary General of the United Nations is certainly the most important and visible post in intentional multilateral diplomacy but it has been called the most impossible job in the world because the faces complex and contradictory pressures in the performance of his duties" Discuss
What is veto? How, when and by whom is used?
Critically examine the powers and the voting procedure of the U.N. Security Council .
What is "VETO?" How , when and by whom it is used?
What is Veto? How, when and by whom it is used? What consequences Pakistan had to face in the past because of its use by a former superpower?
"All the major issues on voting in the security council are now satisfactorily resolved. The real problem to day is about the composition of the Security Council" Discuss
"The Practice of United Nations Organization Show that while the principle of Self-Determination is agreed upon, neither the scope of its application nor the method of decolonisation has been settled." Discuss
"All the major issue on voting in the Secretary Council are now satisfactorily resolved. The real problem today is about the composition of the Security Council." Discuss
Elucidate and justify: "The United Nations inspite of its imperfections, is the only organizations that can save humanity from disaster and copmplete annihilation."


Court of Justice

Write a detailed note on the International-court of Justice with particular reference to its powers to exercise jurisdiction over disputant states.
The jurisdiction of international court of justice depends on the consent of the parties concerned. Discuss.
"The case law of the international court of justice and the practice of United Nations show that while the principle of self-determination is agreed upon, neither the scope of its application nor the method of decolonisation has been settled" Discuss
Explain the structure and powers of the International Court of Justice and assess the importance of the principles laid down in judicial decisions of leading cases as precedents for states.

Kashmir Issue

Discuss Kashmir dispute in the light of
• Right of self determination
• UN Security Council resolution
• Non interference in internal affairs
• legal status of election in Kashmir
• Simla agreement


International Disputes and Resolution

What are amicable means of settlement of international disputes?
Describe various methods of peaceful and amicable settlement of international disputes.
Discuss amicable means for the settlement of international disputes. ( Repeated 3)
How can good offices and mediation help in avoiding influence of Security Council's high-handedness? Analyze.

Diplomatic Immunity

Describe Importance of diplomacy in interstate relations and discuss the concept of diplomacy and immunity?
State the various kinds and classes of diplomatic agents and mention their privileges and immunities.
Define Diplomatic Envoy. Give a short account of the functions, privileges and immunities of the diplomatic envoys accredited to other states.
What is the difference between immunities and privileges of diplomats? What is its place in International Law? How it affects the functions and responsibilities of the diplomats?
Discuss the liability of the following:
a) The ambassador of the Republic of Brondasia in Islamabad murders a Pakistani out of sudden provocation.
b) The wife of the Brondasian ambassador bought cosmetics worth Rs.1000,000 from a local departmental store, refused to pay and went away to her embassy.
c) A Pakistani friend of the Brondasian ambassador has murdered a Brondasian employee of the embassy.
A Pakistani citizen working in the embassy of a foreign country in Islamabad, has committed an offence against another Pakistani citizen. The Pakistani police want to arrest such person. However, the ambassador is refusing to handover the accused to the police with the plea that the accused has a diplomatic immunity. Do you agree with the pleas of the ambassador? Why or why not?


Rivers

Describe international rivers. State the principles of law, regulating the use of water and navigation in international rivers.

Neutrality

Differentiate between Neutralized and Neutral States. Discuss the rights and duties of a neutral state.
Define nationality. What are neutral and neutralized states?
Discuss the concept of Neutralization. How is it done? Explain the Rights, Duties and Guarantees given to a Neutralized state.

General Topics

Define nationality. What are neutral and neutralized states?
Explain the various modes of acquiring and losing nationality. What is double Nationality and Statelessness?
State immunity has become a mere fiction which the law can do with out. The principle is gradually withering away, a process already under way and constantly gaining momentum. Do you agree? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Explain how the problem of Hijacking has been dealt with under the International Law?
What do you understand by international institutions? Discuss their status and functions as subject of international law.
Define Blockade. What are the essentials of real and binding Blockade? What does it terminate? Refer to leading cases
Discuss the concept of extradition. Explain main principles of extradition. Discuss also the crimes exempted from extradition.
Give precise definition of Extradition. Write a comprehensive essay on extradition by covering all its aspects.
Differentiate between Territorial and Extra-Territorial Asylum. Under which circumstances an Embassy or Consulate can offer asylum to a fugitive/offender of the territorial State?
Explain the rules which govern how an insurgency movement can become a subject of International Law.


Short Notes asked in Past papers of I.L

Lotus case
Clarence Thomas and Anita hill case
American diplomat case


Double nationality
De facto recognition
International boundaries
Extradition
Neutrality

High Seas
Nationality
High jacking
Intervention
Chorzow Factory Case
Human Rights
Exclusive Economic Zone
Calvo Clause
Blockade
Corfu Channel Case, U.K.V. Albania(1948), I.C.J. Rep. 1949.

Corfu Channel Case
The Rainbow Warrior Case
The Nottebohm Case.


Protectorate
Prize Courts
Extradition
Double Nationality
Continental Shelf
Universal Declaration of Human Rights


Rights of Prisoners of War
Scotia Case

International court of justice
International boundaries
Neutrality

Internal Waters
Territorial Waters
Land-locked State
EEZ Exclusive Economics Zone

Kellogg Briand Pact 1928
The Geneva Convention 1929
Pacta Sunt Servanda
Protectorate
State servitude

Territorial waters
Monroe’s doctrine
Equality of states
Doctrine of Postliminium
Prize courts
Continuous voyage