The Law of International Organisations - Samenvatting (Summary)

Law of Interna,onal Organiza,ons
Prof. dr. Jan Wouters




KU Leuven – Master in de rechten (2024-2025)

, Law of International Organizations: Table of contents


Session 1: Introduction – History – Definition – Types




1. Introduction
1.1 Prelude
1.2 Practical
2. History
2.1 International organizations: A relatively recent phenomenon
2.2 20th Century
3. Definition
3.1 Association of subjects of international law
3.2 Established by treaty / instrument governed by international law
3.3 Pursuit of common objectives
3.4 One or more organs
Intermezzo: Practical exercise
4. Types


Session 2: Legal Personality and Competences




1. Legal personality
1.1 Historical notes
2. Competences
2.1 General
2.2 Express powers vs. implied powers

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, 2.3 Disputes on competent organ


Session 3: Sources of the Law of International Organizations




1. Traditional sources of Public International Law
1.1 Art. 38 Statute ICJ
1.2 Treaties
1.3 Customary International Law
1.4 General principles
2. Sources specifically relevant for LIO
2.1 Constituent treaty / instrument
2.2 Customary International Law
2.3 Unilateral acts
2.4 Established practice of the organization
3. Contributions of IOs to Customary International Law


Session 4: Organs – Composition, Functioning, Types - Mutual Relationship, Balance of Powers or
Institutional Balance




1. Definition
2. The Question of Attributability
3. Legal basis
3.1 United Nations (UN)
3.2 World Trade Organization (WTO)
3.3 European Union (EU)
4. Types
4.1 Plenary organs vs. limited organs


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, 4.2 Principal organs vs. subsidiary organs
4.3 Secretariat
4.4 Judicial organs
4.5 Parliamentary organs
5. Functioning
5.1 Plenary organs vs. limited organs
5.2 Many similar institutional issues
6. Mutual Relationship – Balance
6.1 Hierarchy in relationship between organs?
6.2 Institutional balance: A principle of EU law


Session 5: Membership – Accession, Suspension and Termination - Other Statuses in International
Organizations




1. Admission to membership
1.1 United Nations (UN)
1.2 European Union (EU)
1.3 World Trade Organization (WTO)
2. Statuses at International Organizations
2.1 The particular case of the European Union
3. Suspension of membership rights
3.1 United Nations (UN)
3.2 European Union (EU)
4. Expulsion from membership
4.1 United Nations (UN)
4.2 International Monetary Fund (IMF)
4.3 International Labour Organization (ILO)
4.4 Council of Europe (CoE)
5. Withdrawal from membership
5.1 United Nations (UN)
5.2 UN specialized agencies
5.3 European Union (EU)


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