European and international law

Delimiting Jurisdiction

Establishes clear boundaries on the jurisdiction of states.

Ratione Territory

The principle that a state's jurisdiction ends where another state's begins, generally at internationally recognized borders.

Ratione Temporis

Refers to the temporal limitations of legal norms or jurisdiction.

Ratione Materiae

Refers to the subject-matter jurisdiction of a state or international organization.

International Organizations

Entities that have gained recognition as subjects under international law.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Private, non-state organizations that can influence international law.

Subjects of International Law

Entities with legal personality that possess rights and obligations under international law.

Sovereignty

Exclusive and independent power of a state to govern its territory without external interference.

Decolonization

The process through which colonies gained independence and became sovereign states.

International Criminal Law (ICL)

A body of law designed to prosecute individuals committing grave offenses.

Genocide

Acts committed with intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Crimes Against Humanity

Violent acts committed against civilians on a large scale.

War Crimes

Violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict.

Aggression (crimes against peace)

The planning, preparation, and execution of aggressive wars.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

A principal organ of the UN that resolves legal disputes between states.

Treaties

Formal agreements between states governed by international law.

Arbitration

A method where parties choose a third party to make a legally binding decision.

Negotiations

Direct discussions aimed at resolving a conflict without third-party involvement.

Mediation

A process where a third party actively helps conflicting parties reach an agreement.

Judicial Measures

Legal processes carried out in international courts for dispute resolution.

Retortions

Lawful retaliatory actions taken by one state against another.

Reprisals

Deliberate violations of international law in response to unlawful acts.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of European states that promotes regional cooperation.

Founded: 1945

Headquarters: New York

Members: 193 Member States

Main Objectives:

Protection of international peace and security

Socio-economic initiatives: poverty reduction, healthcare, protection of human rights

Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

A stage of integration that includes a common currency among member states.

Council of Europe (CoE)

• Founded: 1949

• Headquarters: Strasbourg

• Members: 46 (includes non-EU states like Turkey and Georgia)

• Objective: Promote democratic security in Europe, human rights, democracy, and rule of law

• Key Institution: European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which offers protection for human rights

African Union (AU)

• Founded: 2001 (successor to the Organization of African Unity)

• Members: 55 (includes Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic)

• Headquarters: Addis Ababa

• Main Objectives:

  • Unity and solidarity among African states

  • Sovereignty and territorial integrity

  • International cooperation

• Key Documents: African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981), Free Trade Agreement (2018)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Founded: 1949

Members: 32 (2024: Sweden joins)

Problems: Greatest pressure on the US because they have the most important army. Imbalance in terms of investment. 

Headquarters: Brussels

Objective: Military alliance (organization), collective self-defense (attack on one is an attack on all – Article 5)

Dispute Settlement Body (DSB)

The WTO organ that resolves trade disputes between member states.

Safeguard Measures

Temporary restrictions imposed to protect domestic industries from import surges.

Human Rights

Fundamental rights protecting individuals against abuses.

Right to Self-Determination

The principle that people have the right to decide their own political status.

Recognition of a State

The political acknowledgment of a new state's existence by other states.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

established in 1944

190 members

Headquarters: Washington DC

Is financed by the member states based on a system of quotas

Free Trade Zone

A region where goods can be traded without tariffs between member states.

Customs Union

A free trade zone with a unified external tariff policy.

Single/Internal Market

A market where there is free movement of goods, services, people, and capital.

Economic Cooperation

Collaboration between states to achieve economic benefits.

Supranationalism

Transfer of sovereignty to EU institutions on specific matters.

Intergovernmentalism

Decisions taken by mutual agreement of national governments.

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

A key institution that provides protection for human rights in Europe.

Treaty of Lisbon

1. 2007 - Lisbon Treaty (TEU and TFEU)

   • Entered into force in 2009.

   • Abolished the 3-pillar structure, making EC = EU.

   • Defined powers as exclusive, shared, or supporting.

   • Created a permanent President of the European Council.

   • Made the EU Fundamental Rights Charter binding.

   • Allowed member states to withdraw (e.g., Brexit).

   • Introduced the ability to hand back powers to member states.

European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

The first European supranational organization aimed at integrating coal and steel industries.  Established in 1951.

European Parliament

The EU's legislative body, representing the EU's citizens.

Council of the European Union

The EU institution where government ministers of member states meet to discuss laws.

Cognizant Powers

The authority granted to institutions and governments in international law.

Investments

Assets invested in another country, often protected by international treaties.

Public Health Measures

Regulations imposed by countries to protect public health.

Compliance Monitoring

Oversight to ensure states adhere to international agreements.

Economic Sanctions

Restrictions imposed by countries to influence political or economic decisions.

Customary International Law

Legal norms arising from the consistent practice of states.

International Humanitarian Law

The rules governing the conduct of war and protection of civilians.

International Environmental Law

Legal frameworks governing environmental protection internationally.

Climate Change Treaties

Agreements to tackle the impact of climate change globally.

Trade Dispute Resolution

Processes for resolving conflicts between nations over trade practices.

Customs Duties

Taxes imposed on goods when they cross international borders.

Global Governance

The way international affairs are managed across countries.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Global objectives aimed at addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.

International Association of Penal Law (AIDP)

It was founded in 1924, building upon the work of the earlier International Union of Penal Law (1889) An organization promoting the understanding of international criminal law.

Transnational Advocacy Networks

Coalitions of actors across borders to promote certain issues or causes.

International Trade Agreements

Treaties between countries to facilitate trade by reducing barriers.

Trade Balances

The difference between the value of exports and imports.

Armed Conflict

A dispute involving the use of armed force, regulated by international law.

Community Law

The body of laws derived from EU regulations and directives.

Exercise of Jurisdiction

The authority of a state to govern and apply laws to its territory and persons.

Legal Personality

The capability of an entity to hold rights and obligations under international law.

Judicial Independence

The principle that judges are unbiased and not influenced by outside factors.

Binding Decisions

Rulings made by legal bodies that parties must comply with.

Procedure of Extradition

The process of surrendering a person from one jurisdiction to another for legal proceedings.

International Community

A term used to describe states and organizations interacting globally.

Diversity in International Law

The variety of legal systems and practices applied globally.

Conflict of Laws

Legal issues arising when various jurisdictions are involved.

Public International Law

The set of rules governing relationships between states and other entities.

Legal Capacity

The ability of an entity to engage in legal actions.

International Responsibility

The accountability of states for their actions in the international arena.

Substantive Law

The body of law that governs rights and obligations.

Procedural Law

The rules that govern the processes in legal proceedings.

Diplomatic Immunity

Protection that ensures diplomats are not subjected to the laws of the host country.

War Crimes Tribunal

A court established to try individuals for war crimes.

Sustainable Trade Practices

Trade methods that do not harm the environment and communities.

Regional Trade Agreements

Treaties between countries in a specific region to facilitate trade.

Multilateral Treaties

Agreements between more than two states.

International Arbitration

A method of settling disputes between parties through neutral third parties.

Interstate Relations

Interactions between sovereign states.

Global Trade Frameworks

Guidelines and agreements that govern international trade.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The ethical responsibility of corporations to consider their impact on society.

Legal Framework

The comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing an area.

Normative Framework

Guidelines and norms that shape behavior in international relations.

Theories of International Relations

Conceptual frameworks that explain how states and other actors interact.

Security Council Resolutions

Official decisions made by the UN Security Council regarding international peace and security.

Treaty Ratification

The formal approval of a treaty by a country's governing body.

International Development Law

Legal rules regulating development activities globally.

Crisis Management

Strategies to address and mitigate crises affecting states or regions.

Humanitarian Intervention

Military intervention for humanitarian purposes.

Transnational Law

Laws that apply across national boundaries.

Institutional Reform

Changes made to improve the functioning of international organizations.

Legal Strategies

Plans or systems designed to achieve legal goals.

Institutional Capacity

The ability of institutions to fulfill their responsibilities.

Enforcement Mechanisms

Methods used to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

International Legal Norms

Standards and rules that guide behavior between states.

Collective Security

An arrangement where states agree to respond collectively to threats.