VU Amsterdam | Public International Law (Master Law & Politics of International Security)
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW: COMPREHENSIVE
MASTER STUDY GUIDE & LEGAL MEMO FRAMEWORK
Master Law and Politics of International Security (VU Amsterdam) | Complete Course Synthesis & Exam Manual
Document Overview: This study guide provides an exhaustive, highly structured, 30-page synthesis for
the Masterl course Public International Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Grounded strictly in the 45
course documents, this guide is specifically tailored for open-book, legal memo-style examinations. It
systematically covers Weeks 1 through 6, integrating all assigned literature, chapters 1 to 10 of Jan
Klabbers' International Law, relevant ICJ, PCIJ, and national court jurisprudence with exact
paragraph/page citations, statutory provisions, lecture notes, student notes, preparatory/guiding
questions, and practical workshop scenario applications (including The Hyrule Case). Every treaty, article,
case, Latin term, and legal concept is strictly highlighted in bold font.
EXAM METHODOLOGY & LEGAL MEMO TIP
In legal memo-like exams, answers must be structured using the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application,
Conclusion). Every legal conclusion must be supported by a specific legal basis—whether a treaty rule
(e.g., UN Charter Article 2(4) or VCLT Article 31) or customary rule substantiated by state practice and
opinio juris. Always address jurisdiction and admissibility before entering the merits of the dispute.
Master Study Guide & Legal Memo Exam Framework | Page 1 of 29
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
Public International Law · Comprehensive Master Study Guide & Legal Memo Framework
PART I — WEEKLY OVERVIEW 2
Week 1: The Nature & Sources of International Law 2
1.1 Course Objectives & Guiding Questions · 1.2 Klabbers Chapters 1–2 2
1.3 Required Readings & Case Summaries · 1.4 Hyrule Case (Phase 1) 3
Week 2: The Law of Treaties & Customary International Law 5
2.1 Course Objectives · 2.2 Klabbers Chapter 3 · 2.3 Readings & Cases · 2.4 Hyrule Phase 2 5
Week 3: Subjects, Statehood & Self-Determination 8
3.1 Course Objectives · 3.2 Klabbers Chapters 4 & 6 · 3.3 Readings & Cases · 3.4 Hyrule Phase 3 8
Week 4: Jurisdiction & Immunities 11
4.1 Course Objectives · 4.2 Klabbers Chapter 5 · 4.3 Readings & Cases · 4.4 Hyrule Phase 4 11
Week 5: State Responsibility & Dispute Settlement 14
5.1 Course Objectives · 5.2 Klabbers Chapters 7 & 9 · 5.3 Readings & Cases · 5.4 Hyrule Phase 5 14
Week 6: Use of Force, Self-Defence & Security System 17
6.1 Course Objectives · 6.2 Klabbers Chapters 8 & 10 · 6.3 Readings & Cases · 6.4 Hyrule Phase 6 17
PART II — TOPIC-BY-TOPIC LEGAL REFERENCE DIRECTORY 20
Treaties and statutory provisions, landmark judgments, declarations, source-document locations 20
PART III — CORE CONCEPT OVERVIEW & BILINGUAL LEGAL TERMINOLOGY 21
3.1 Two-Page Overview of Core Legal Concepts 21
3.2 Master Alphabetical Glossary of Legal Terms (English & Latin) 22
PART IV — LEGAL MEMO STRUCTURE & STEP-BY-STEP SITUATION ANALYSIS ROADMAP 24
4.1 Master Exam Methodology · 4.2 Step-by-Step Analytical Roadmap 24
Steps 1–8: Header and Questions; Jurisdiction; Immunities; IRAC; Attribution; Defences; Remedies; Advice 24
PART V — REAL-WORLD EXAM CASE SCENARIOS & MEMO BLUEPRINTS 26
Blueprint 1: US Military Intervention / Regime Change in Venezuela 26
Blueprint 2: Greenland Purchase Proposal & Territorial Sovereignty 27
Blueprint 3: Unilateral Secession & Recognition — Kosovo / Crimea / Donbas 27
Blueprint 4: Extraterritorial Drone Strikes & Non-State Actors (Unwilling/Unable) 28
Blueprint 5: Maritime Environmental Disaster, Ecocide & Transboundary Pollution 29
VU Amsterdam | Public International Law Contents
, VU Amsterdam | Public International Law (Master Law & Politics of International Security)
PART I: WEEKELY OVERVIEW
WEEK 1: THE NATURE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW & THE SOURCES
OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
1.1 Course Objectives, Preparatory Questions & Guiding Questions (With Source
Answers)
Course Objectives & Core Themes: Understand the nature of the decentralized international legal order;
examine the structural transition from Westphalian statism (law of co-existence) to international
community interests (law of cooperation); analyze sovereign equality under UN Charter Article 2(1);
and master the reading and application of jurisprudence using the IRAC method.
● What is the nature of the international legal order? International law operates as a decentralized
system without a central legislature, executive, or compulsory judiciary. Obligations derive from state
consent, as affirmed in S.S. Lotus (1927). The system relies on horizontal enforcement, self-help, and
sovereign equality.
● How does international law differ from municipal law? Unlike national legal orders characterized by
vertical hierarchy and centralized law enforcement, international law is horizontal and based on
decentralized auto-interpretation and consensual obligation.
● What is the distinction between the 'law of co-existence' and the 'law of cooperation'? The law of
co-existence (classic Westphalian international law) regulates formal sovereign boundaries,
non-interference, and peaceful separation. The law of cooperation reflects modern international law
aimed at pursuing collective goals (human rights, environmental protection, security) through
international institutions.
1.2 Textbook Integration: Klabbers Chapters 1 & 2
● Chapter 1 (Setting of International Law): Traces the evolution of international law from the Peace of
Westphalia (1648), establishing the principles of territorial sovereignty and formal equality.
Highlights the absence of a global sovereign and explains how international law functions through
voluntary compliance, reciprocity, and reputation.
● Chapter 2 (The Sources of International Law): Analyzes the canonical listing of sources in Article
38(1) of the ICJ Statute: (a) international conventions/treaties, (b) international custom as evidence
of a general practice accepted as law (customary international law), (c) general principles of law
recognized by civilized nations, and (d) judicial decisions and teachings of the most highly qualified
Master Study Guide & Legal Memo Exam Framework | Page 2 of 29
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW: COMPREHENSIVE
MASTER STUDY GUIDE & LEGAL MEMO FRAMEWORK
Master Law and Politics of International Security (VU Amsterdam) | Complete Course Synthesis & Exam Manual
Document Overview: This study guide provides an exhaustive, highly structured, 30-page synthesis for
the Masterl course Public International Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Grounded strictly in the 45
course documents, this guide is specifically tailored for open-book, legal memo-style examinations. It
systematically covers Weeks 1 through 6, integrating all assigned literature, chapters 1 to 10 of Jan
Klabbers' International Law, relevant ICJ, PCIJ, and national court jurisprudence with exact
paragraph/page citations, statutory provisions, lecture notes, student notes, preparatory/guiding
questions, and practical workshop scenario applications (including The Hyrule Case). Every treaty, article,
case, Latin term, and legal concept is strictly highlighted in bold font.
EXAM METHODOLOGY & LEGAL MEMO TIP
In legal memo-like exams, answers must be structured using the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application,
Conclusion). Every legal conclusion must be supported by a specific legal basis—whether a treaty rule
(e.g., UN Charter Article 2(4) or VCLT Article 31) or customary rule substantiated by state practice and
opinio juris. Always address jurisdiction and admissibility before entering the merits of the dispute.
Master Study Guide & Legal Memo Exam Framework | Page 1 of 29
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
Public International Law · Comprehensive Master Study Guide & Legal Memo Framework
PART I — WEEKLY OVERVIEW 2
Week 1: The Nature & Sources of International Law 2
1.1 Course Objectives & Guiding Questions · 1.2 Klabbers Chapters 1–2 2
1.3 Required Readings & Case Summaries · 1.4 Hyrule Case (Phase 1) 3
Week 2: The Law of Treaties & Customary International Law 5
2.1 Course Objectives · 2.2 Klabbers Chapter 3 · 2.3 Readings & Cases · 2.4 Hyrule Phase 2 5
Week 3: Subjects, Statehood & Self-Determination 8
3.1 Course Objectives · 3.2 Klabbers Chapters 4 & 6 · 3.3 Readings & Cases · 3.4 Hyrule Phase 3 8
Week 4: Jurisdiction & Immunities 11
4.1 Course Objectives · 4.2 Klabbers Chapter 5 · 4.3 Readings & Cases · 4.4 Hyrule Phase 4 11
Week 5: State Responsibility & Dispute Settlement 14
5.1 Course Objectives · 5.2 Klabbers Chapters 7 & 9 · 5.3 Readings & Cases · 5.4 Hyrule Phase 5 14
Week 6: Use of Force, Self-Defence & Security System 17
6.1 Course Objectives · 6.2 Klabbers Chapters 8 & 10 · 6.3 Readings & Cases · 6.4 Hyrule Phase 6 17
PART II — TOPIC-BY-TOPIC LEGAL REFERENCE DIRECTORY 20
Treaties and statutory provisions, landmark judgments, declarations, source-document locations 20
PART III — CORE CONCEPT OVERVIEW & BILINGUAL LEGAL TERMINOLOGY 21
3.1 Two-Page Overview of Core Legal Concepts 21
3.2 Master Alphabetical Glossary of Legal Terms (English & Latin) 22
PART IV — LEGAL MEMO STRUCTURE & STEP-BY-STEP SITUATION ANALYSIS ROADMAP 24
4.1 Master Exam Methodology · 4.2 Step-by-Step Analytical Roadmap 24
Steps 1–8: Header and Questions; Jurisdiction; Immunities; IRAC; Attribution; Defences; Remedies; Advice 24
PART V — REAL-WORLD EXAM CASE SCENARIOS & MEMO BLUEPRINTS 26
Blueprint 1: US Military Intervention / Regime Change in Venezuela 26
Blueprint 2: Greenland Purchase Proposal & Territorial Sovereignty 27
Blueprint 3: Unilateral Secession & Recognition — Kosovo / Crimea / Donbas 27
Blueprint 4: Extraterritorial Drone Strikes & Non-State Actors (Unwilling/Unable) 28
Blueprint 5: Maritime Environmental Disaster, Ecocide & Transboundary Pollution 29
VU Amsterdam | Public International Law Contents
, VU Amsterdam | Public International Law (Master Law & Politics of International Security)
PART I: WEEKELY OVERVIEW
WEEK 1: THE NATURE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW & THE SOURCES
OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
1.1 Course Objectives, Preparatory Questions & Guiding Questions (With Source
Answers)
Course Objectives & Core Themes: Understand the nature of the decentralized international legal order;
examine the structural transition from Westphalian statism (law of co-existence) to international
community interests (law of cooperation); analyze sovereign equality under UN Charter Article 2(1);
and master the reading and application of jurisprudence using the IRAC method.
● What is the nature of the international legal order? International law operates as a decentralized
system without a central legislature, executive, or compulsory judiciary. Obligations derive from state
consent, as affirmed in S.S. Lotus (1927). The system relies on horizontal enforcement, self-help, and
sovereign equality.
● How does international law differ from municipal law? Unlike national legal orders characterized by
vertical hierarchy and centralized law enforcement, international law is horizontal and based on
decentralized auto-interpretation and consensual obligation.
● What is the distinction between the 'law of co-existence' and the 'law of cooperation'? The law of
co-existence (classic Westphalian international law) regulates formal sovereign boundaries,
non-interference, and peaceful separation. The law of cooperation reflects modern international law
aimed at pursuing collective goals (human rights, environmental protection, security) through
international institutions.
1.2 Textbook Integration: Klabbers Chapters 1 & 2
● Chapter 1 (Setting of International Law): Traces the evolution of international law from the Peace of
Westphalia (1648), establishing the principles of territorial sovereignty and formal equality.
Highlights the absence of a global sovereign and explains how international law functions through
voluntary compliance, reciprocity, and reputation.
● Chapter 2 (The Sources of International Law): Analyzes the canonical listing of sources in Article
38(1) of the ICJ Statute: (a) international conventions/treaties, (b) international custom as evidence
of a general practice accepted as law (customary international law), (c) general principles of law
recognized by civilized nations, and (d) judicial decisions and teachings of the most highly qualified
Master Study Guide & Legal Memo Exam Framework | Page 2 of 29
