INTERNATIONAL - Lawyers and Laws

International law is a legal term that refers to a body of law governing the conduct of nations and how they interact with each other. Treaties, conventions, and other declarations between countries or international bodies of authority involved international laws. These laws can be very difficult to understand and enforce any person with questions or concerns should work with an international attorney.

Public International Law

Public international law governs the interactions between nations, international entities, and occasionally international organizations. Global trade has made international law an important tool for these entities during interactions with each other. Public international law arises from treaties, business customs, and principals of law, so it can vary significantly depending on the parties and the nature of their interaction. In addition, because there is no supreme international sovereign, legal norms can be very difficult to create or enforce. Typically a violation of international law can be reprimanded by other entities through application of political pressure on the offending party, cutting economic ties with them, or, in the worst-case scenario, resort to armed conflict. These laws are specific to the parties and the situation, as such, any party engaged in international business or relations should work with an experienced international attorney.

Conflict of Laws

Conflict of laws refers to the procedural aspect of international law as it determines what jurisdiction and choice of law applies in a dispute, and whether or not a nation's decision in a case is enforceable in another country. A court making a conflict of laws decision will look at the parties involved and the source of their dispute. Typically parties to an international transaction will sign a contract that resolves conflict of laws questions, but in the event no such agreement is reached it is common for nations that frequently interact to respect and enforce private judgments from other courts that had appropriate jurisdiction. For questions about appropriate legal forum for an international dispute, consult an experienced international attorney.