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International Law: General Sources: Sources of IL, I.C.J. Statute, U.N. Charter

This guide lists essential sources for researching general aspects of international law. For specialized topics, such as human rights and international arbitration, see the guide International Law: Specialized Sources.

Statute of the International Court of Justice, Art. 38(1) sources of international law

The Statute of the International Court of Justice appears at the end of the Charter of the United Nations. Cite: Statute of the International Court of Justice, art. 38,  ¶ 1.

1. The Court, whose function is to decide in accordance with international law such disputes as are submitted to it, shall apply:
a. international conventions, whether general or particular, establishing rules expressly recognized by the contesting states;
b. international custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law;
c. the general principles of law recognized by civilized nations;
d. subject to the provisions of Article 59, judicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law.

Other sources that may be relevant to your research

For selected books that may discuss the sources of international law, see the Getting started tab in this guide.