78160 Rights and Obligations in the International Legal System

This is a foundational subject in the LLM International Law program. The objective of the subject is to develop an advanced understanding of the basis and scope of the rights and obligations of states in the international legal system. While the design of the subject pays close attention to the theoretical foundations of international law, its substance emphases the problems in the practical application of the law and leads students to critically evaluate the limits of state obligations in the international legal system, and the role of the practitioner in the resolution of legal problems in the system. Through the use of specific topical issues, the subject aims at equipping the student with an in-depth understanding of the interface between domestic law and international law, and the relevance of international law rules to the practice of law in the domestic context. At the end of the subject, students are expected to have gained a full understanding of the principal theories in international law relating to the basis of obligation of states and how such theories in practice relate to the behaviour of states in international relations and in domestic law. Students also gain a high level of insight and understanding of the practical relevance and application of international law through the comprehensive analysis of selected topical events.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
Spring semester, City campus