Q. Can you describe International law?
International law comprises of a set of rules that govern the international relations between sovereign states. It can be classified into two domains i.e. public international law and private international laws and both are distinguished from each other at all times. The former relates to the laws between states, and covers almost every aspect of inter-state activity, from the laws of the use of sea, outer space, carriage of goods, civil aviation, and postal services to the transfer of money. On the other hand, the latter, which is often dubbed as conflict of laws as well, concerns relationship between individuals of two different states; for instance, divorce issues and problems pertaining to trade between individuals of two different states.
International law is the vital mechanism without which an interdependent world can not function properly and with in the bounds of law. It does not only control the states by overseeing their conduct in relation with other states, like the law prohibiting the use of armed force to settle dispute, but also maintains laws regarding individuals (e.g. human rights).
Furthermore, international law is intrinsically bound up with diplomacy, politics and conduct of foreign affairs; it is not, at all, based on an adversarial system of law, meaning thereby that many of the rules have been evolved from the practice of the states and do not bind the states in any course, which tends to make international law more flexible. Also, international law leaves a state with so many options rather than with merely one course of action, which serves as an advantage for a system so bound up with politics and diplomacy.