Public International Law [ LDROI2103 ]

The course presents in a systematic way the fundamental features of Public international law, being the legal order governing relations within the 'International Community'. It also covers the main questions relating to the application of international law by domestic courts. The founding elements of the discipline will be exposed, i.e.:

• General concepts;
• Subjects of international law;
• Sources of international law (together with the relationship of sources with domestic law);
• International responsibility;
• Pacific settlement of disputes;
• Collective security, use of force and sanctions;
• Regime and protection of spaces;
• Basic aspects of the international protection of Human rights;
• Basic rules of international trade.

The aim of this course is to make students familiar with the basic rules governing the international society, composed primarily of States, and to analyze the issues that may be raised by their enforcement in national legal systems, especially in the Belgian one. The purpose is also to enable students to better understand current international events with the perspective of the legal rules governing international relations.

The course is divided into 6 parts, the first four being taught by Pierre d'Argent and the last two by Joe Verhoeven: 1. Sources of IL 2. Subjects of IL 3. International responsibility and sanctions 4. Use of force and collective security 5. Pacific settlement of disputes 6. Law of common spaces (rivers, sea, air, space, Antarctic')

The materials made progressively available on the website iCampus are a "synopsis" (detailed plan) of the course and some relevant documents cited during the classes. It is therefore particularly important to take intelligible notes in order to complete those materials. Books of reference (no compulsory purchase): - J. Verhoeven, Droit international public, Larcier, 2000 (Précis de la Faculté de droit de l'UCL); - J. Combacau & S. Sur, Droit international public, Montchrestien (dernière édition); - P.-M. Dupuy, Droit international public, Dalloz (dernière édition); - P. Daillier, M. Forteau & A. Pellet, Droit international public, LGDJ (dernière édition)