Public International Law
Code: 102232Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Law | FB | 2 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Susana Beltran Garcia
- Email :
- susana.beltran@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Jaume Munich Gasa
- Claudia Cristina Jimenez Cortes
- Alexandre Moreno Urpi
- Ana Ayuso Pozo
- Sonnia Güell Peris
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites: None
Languages
Group 01: Sònnia Güell Seminars: 11 TBD (Catalan); 12 Susana Beltrán (Catalan) 13 Sònnia Güell (Catalan)
Group 02: Claudia Jiménez Seminars: 21 Àlex Moreno (English); 22 Claudia Jiménez (English) 23 Sònnia Güell (English)
Group 51: Ana Ayuso/Susana Beltran Seminars: 511 Anna Ayuso (Spanish); 512 Susana Beltrán (Spanish); 513 Claudia Jiménez (Spanish)
Group 70: Jaume Munich (Catalan) Seminars 701 Jaume Munich (Catalan) 702 Sònnia Güell (Catalan)
The Objectives of Sustainable Development will be fully incorporated into the subject´s teaching
Objectives
-To understand the public international law
- To understand that the international system is increasingly interdependent and that States’ freedom to adopt domestic and international rules is limited by the collective will of other States.
- To know that public international law remains a necessary instrument for regulating international relations
- To assume that the subjects are the international law makers & must comply with them.
- To understand that public international law has a high level of voluntary compliance weighs, at times, seems the opposite. The reason is that it is adopted by the common interest of States and is therefore enforced.
- Address that a very significant part of the internal rules of States have their origin or are related to public international law
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrating a sensible and critical reasoning: analysis, synthesis, conclusions.
- Identifying and solving problems.
- Students must be capable of learning autonomously and having an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Working in teams, being either a member or a coordinator of working groups, as well as making decisions affecting the whole group.
- Students must be effective in a changing environment and when facing new tasks, responsibilities or people.
- Defend and promote the basic values of coexistence in democracy.
- Working in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary fields.
- Students must be capable of leading a group of people, by using the appropriate methods to guide individuals or groups towards the attainment of a goal.
- Identifying, knowing and applying the principles and basic regulations of the international and European Union legal system, particularly the ones that refer to the protection of the human rights.
- Analysing the values of the international society, specially the ones aimed to promote a culture of peace, reflected in the international and European legislation.
- Finding the applicable standards in international matters.
- Solving interpretation and application problems of international laws.
- Apprehending the necessary mechanisms to assess and apply the legislative reforms at an international and European level and in particular in relation to the changes produced in the protection of the human rights.
- Assessing and putting into practice the changes in international and European jurisprudence in order to apply them to concrete legal problems.
- Arguing and laying the foundation for the implementation of the legal-international standards bearing in mind that there might be several possible reasonings.
- Integrating the importance of the international law as a regulatory system of the international society, as well as the European Union and its impact in the domestic legal orders.
- Distinguishing the most frequent databases of the international framework.
- Using computing networks from appropriate bibliographic sources for a concrete work.
- Analysing the protection of human rights of men and woman in the international and European orders.
- Present information in a way that is appropriate to the type of audience.
Contents
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW PROGRAM
I. THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM
Lesson 1. International society and the public international law (PIL)
Origin and evolution. Concept of PIL. The PIL as a legal system of the current international society. The institutionalization of the international system: The United Nations system. The principles of the United Nations
II. THE INTERNATIONAL SUBJECTIVITY
Lesson 2. The international subjectivity of the State
Concept and constituent elements of the State. The principle of sovereign equality. The principle of non-intervention. The succession of States. The recognition of States. The recognition of governments. Immunities of the State. Foreign representation of States.
Lesson 3. The international subjectivity of international organizations (IO) and the international status of other actors
The international legal personality of the IO. The competences of the IO. Historical situations. The peoples. NGOs. Transnational corporations. The individual. The humanity.
III. THE PROCESS FOR TRAINING RULES IN PIL
Lesson 4. The structure of the international legal system
Concept of source of law and lege ferenda norms. Consent and consensus of the States in the formation of norms. The hierarchy of international norms: the ius cogens.
Lesson 5. Treaties as a source of PIL
Concept of treaty. Modalities of treaties and functions. The celebration of treaties: special reference to the Spanish State. The reservations. The provisional application Deposit and registration of treaties.
Lesson 6. Other sources of PIL, auxiliary means and their interaction
The custom. The general principles of law. Equity. Jurisprudence and doctrine. Concept and modalitiesof unilateral acts of States. The normative acts of the IO: the internal normative function and the external normative function. Soft law. The interaction between formal sources and coadjuvant mechanisms for the creation of norms.
IV. ORDINARY APPLICATION OF THE PIL
Lesson 7. The relations of the PIL with the internal rights
The reception of the PIL and its hierarchy: special reference to the Spanish State. The interpretation. The application of the PIL: special reference to the Spanish State. Follow-up techniques and international control.
Lesson 8. Effects of international regulations and their possible alterations
The effects of the international norms, special reference to the erga omnes effects. Nullity, modification, termination and suspension of treaties.
V. EXTRAORDINARY APPLICATION OF THE PIL
Lesson 9. The peaceful resolution of international disputes
Concept and regulation of disputes. The diplomatic means of solution. The means of jurisdictional solution: the arbitration and the judicial solution (special reference to the ICJ). The resolution of disputes in the IO.
Lesson 10. International responsibility
Concept of international responsibility. The objective element and the subjective element. Excluding circumstances. Consequences of the internationally illicit fact: the repair. The obligation to repair by lawful acts. The international responsibility of the individual.
Lesson 11. Mechanisms for demanding compliance with the PIL
Diplomatic protection. Countermeasures. The institutionalized procedures: a) the social sanction and the disciplinary power b) The prohibition on the use of force and the power of coercion of Chapters VII and VIII of the Charter. The practice of the United Nationsand other international mechanisms.
VI.SPACE COMPETENCES AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Lesson 12. Space competences and spaces of collective interest
The terrestrial space. Air space. The law of the sea. Other spaces of collective interest. The protection of the environment.
Lesson 13. International economic architecture and development cooperation
International financial relations. International trade relations. Development cooperation.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master classes | 22 | 0.88 | 9, 10, 12, 13, 16 |
| study | 50 | 2 | 9, 10 |
| Case studies preparation | 21 | 0.84 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 |
| Seminars | 17 | 0.68 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 |
| preparation of seminars | 20 | 0.8 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 |
| Case study resolution | 5 | 0.2 | 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 18 |
Statement:
Teaching for this course is in person. Attendance at seminars is compulsory
Directed activities:
- Plenary classes: taught by the teacher.
- Seminars: each teacher at the begining of the course will explain their system.
Autonomous activities: each teacher in the classroom will explain how to prepare autonomously the contents of the course.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity 8 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 |
| Activity 1 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 |
| Activity 4 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 20 |
| Activity 7 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 |
| Participation in plenary classes | 10% | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 6, 11, 12, 15, 16 |
| Activity 2 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18 |
| Activity 9 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 |
| Activity 5 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20 |
| Activity 6 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20 |
| Exam of contents | 45% | 5 | 0.2 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
| Activity 3 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18 |
Evaluation model: the evaluation is continued and aims to enable teachers to establish the degree of achievement of competencies.
9 Evaluated activities will be carry out and will represent 45% of the final grade. Seminar attendance is compulsory.
Participation in plenary classes: 10% of the final grade
Content exam: this is a question exam related to the subject's program, which equals 45% of the final grade.
Re-evaluation: there is a re-evaluation but only of the exam of contents (max 45%).
The subject will be approved if the sum of the marks obtained among all activities is at least 5, as long as the mark of the exam of contents is equal to or greater than 4.
Non-Evaluable Students
Students will be assessed as long as they have carried out a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of 2/3 of the total grade for the subject. If the value of the activities carried out does not reach this threshold, the subject's teaching staff may consider the student as \"non evaluable student\"
Unique Evaluation
The unique evaluation will consist of the following:
- Written exam with 10 short questions about the theoretical content of the subject: 50% of the final grade.
- Written practical exercise 1 related to the application of the theoretical content of the subject: 25% of the final grade.
- Oral practical exercise 2 based on a judicial simulation: 25% of the final grade.
If the unique evaluation is failed, a reevaluation can be done following the same model.
The request for a unique evaluation implies renouncing continuous assessment.
Not evaluable: The same non-evaluable criteria will be applied as for continuous evaluation.
Important note:
If a student cheats, commits plagiarism, or is found in possession of a prohibited device during any assessment activity, the lecturer will assign a grade of 0 for that assessment and will notify the Dean’s Office of the Faculty by submitting a report detailing the circumstances and evidence of the incident, with a view to requesting the initiation of possible disciplinary proceedings against the student. This assessment activity cannot be retaken. If more than one irregularity occurs in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0.
Use of AI
Restricted Use: For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction, or translations. Assessable activities must be completed without the use of AI, unless explicitly authorized by the teaching staff. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final result of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in this assessable activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a partial or total grade penalty, or more serious sanctions in severe cases
Bibliography
MANDATORY BIBLIOGRAPHY
RODRIGO, Ángel. J.; Compendio de derecho internacional público, Tecnos, 2025
RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAFHY
ANDRES, Paz., GONZÁLEZ, Javier A. Sistema de derecho internacional público, 7ª ed., Civitas, 2023.
CASADO, Rafael., Derecho internacional, 5ª ed., Tecnos, 2024.
CRAWFORD, James. Brownlie’s Principles of Public International Law. Oxford University Press, 9th ed. 2019
DÍEZ DE VELASCO, Manuel., Las organizaciones internacionales, 16ª ed., Tecnos, 2010.
DIEZ DE VELASCO, Manuel., Instituciones de derecho internacional público, 19º ed., Tecnos, 2017.
EVANS, Malcolm (ed.). International Law. Oxford University Press, 6th ed. 2024
FERNÁNDEZ, Antonio et al., Curso de Derecho Internacional Público, Tirant lo Blanc 2015
https://biblioteca-tirant-com.are.uab.cat/cloudLibrary/ebook/show/9788490868188
GAETA, Paola, VIÑUALES, Jorge E., ZAPPALÁ, S. (2020). Cassese’s International Law. Oxford University Press, 3rd ed. 2020
GONZÁLEZ, Julio D., et al., Curso de derecho internacional público, 4ª ed.,Thomson/Civitas, 2008.
GUTIÉRREZ, Cesáreo., CERVELL, María José., El derecho internacional en la encrucijada. Curso general de derecho internacional público, 4ª ed., Trotta, 2017.
JUSTE, José., et al., Lecciones de derecho internacional público, 4ª ed., Tirant lo Blanch, 2023.
LARA PATRÓN, Rubén., Derecho Internacional Público, Iure Editores, 2017; https://elibro.net/es/lc/uab/titulos/40226
MARIÑO, Fernando., Derecho internacional público (Parte General), 4ª ed., Trotta, 2005.
OLIVEIRA MAZZUOLI,Valerio., Derecho internacional público contemporáneo. J.M. BOSCH EDITOR., 2019., https://elibro.net/es/lc/uab/titulos/121420
ORTEGA, Martín., Derecho global. Derecho internacional público en la era global, Tecnos, 2014.
PASTOR, José Antonio., Curso de derecho internacional público y organizaciones internacionales, 29ª ed., Tecnos, 2025.
PIÑOL, Joan Lluís. (coordinador), Dret internacional públic, UOC, 2000.
REMIRO, Antonio., et al., Derecho internacional. Curso general, 1ª ed., Tirant lo Blanch, 2010.
RODRÍGUEZ DÍAZ, Begoña., Apuntes de Derecho internacional público, Dykinson, 2016; https://elibro.net/es/lc/uab/titulos/96868
RODRIGUEZ, Alejandro., Lecciones de derecho internacional público,6ª ed., Tecnos, 2006.
SALINAS, Ana. (dir.), Lecciones de Derecho Internacional Público, Tecnos, 2019
SALINAS DE FRÍAS, Ana María & ÁLVAREZ ARCÁ, Ignacio (dirs.) et al. Handbook of International Law and Diplomacy. Tirant lo Blanch, 2022 (on line)
SHAW, Malcolm N. International Law. Cambridge University Press, 10th ed. 2026
BASIC TEXTS
ANDRES, Paz., Legislación básica de derecho internacional público, 26ª ed., Tecnos, 2026.
Software
The subjec does not require any specific software.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 2 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 11 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 12 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 13 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 21 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 22 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 23 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 51 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 70 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 511 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 512 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 513 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 701 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 702 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |