Introduction to International and Comparative Law
A. WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL LAW?
1. International law is the body of rules and norms that regulates activities carried
on outside the legal boundaries of nations.
Answer: True
2. In contemporary international law, the division between public and private law
is precise and well defined.
Answer: False
3. International law is not really law since there is no worldwide legislature to
enact it.
Answer: False
4. Comity is the practice, or courtesy, between nations of treating each other with
goodwill and civility.
Answer: True
5. Comity is not law because countries do not regard it as something they are
required to respect.
Answer: True
6. International law regulates relationships between:
a. states and states.
b. states and persons.
c. persons and persons.
d. All of the above.
e. Both a. and b. above.
Answer: d
7. Which of the following is an example/are examples of the subject matter of
public international law?
a. Contracts and sales.
, b. Securities regulations.
c. State succession.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
Answer: c
8. Which of the following is an example/are examples of the subject matter of
private international law?
a. Antitrust.
b. Nationality.
c. State responsibility to aliens.
d. All of the above.
e. Both a. and b. above.
Answer: e
9. Law is:
a. a rule established by authority, society, or custom.
b. a body or system of rules.
c. the control or authority imposed by a system of rules.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
Answer: d
B. THE MAKING OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
10. Despite the lack of international law-making machinery, states function
informally as both lobbyists and legislators.
Answer: True
11. International law exists when there is a consensus of the international
community.
, Answer: True
12. Unratified treaties and reports of international agencies are sometimes cited as
evidence of a trend toward the development of a rule of international law.
Answer: True
13. Case law derived from the decisions of arbitration tribunals hearing disputes
between private parties is never used as a source of international law rules.
Answer: False
14. Evidence of the general consent of the international community to the
existence of a rule of international law can be found in:
a. decisions of the International Court of Justice.
b. resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly.
c. the conduct and practices of states in their dealings between themselves.
d. All of the above.
e. Both a. and c.
Answer: d
, C. SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
15. The sources of international law which Article 38(1) of the Statute of the
International Court of Justice states that the court is permitted to use in settling
disputes are:
a. general principles of law.
b. international conventions.
c. the case law of municipal courts.
d. All of the above.
e. Both a. and b. above
Answer: d
16. In determining whether a practice has become a rule of international
customary law, Article 38(1) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice
states that the court is permitted to look to:
a. economic trends.
b. historical records.
c. teachings of legal writers.
d. All of the above.
e. Both a. and b. above.
Answer: c
17. Which of the following sources of international law does the International
Court of Justice normally regard as the most authoritative?
a. Customary international law.
b. General principles of law.
c. International conventions.
d. Judicial decisions.
e. Teachings of legal writers.
Answer: c