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LAW30730

Academic Year 2025/2026

Public International Law (LAW30730)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Joseph McMahon
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Traditionally, public international law was said to concern the legal relations between sovereign equal states. If that description was ever really accurate or adequate, today it is certainly a view of international law under strain. The growing and increasingly complex web of treaty rules establishing regimes to regulate virtually every field of human endeavour – from the oceans to global finance and trade – often also establishing ambitious institutional structures with significant normative power and influence, sees modern international law increasingly penetrate the day-to-day functioning of all sovereign States.

However, international law now extends beyond States to encompass International Organisations. Depending on definitions and classifications, there are between 240 and 350 functioning international organisations covering a vast array of areas of social, legal and political importance presenting differences in terms of remit, structure, powers and overall presence in the international system. Notwithstanding these challenges, however, it seems that over the years a discrete body of rules and principles has grown up to make the study of the law pertaining to international organisations more coherent.

The module offers an introduction to the structure of international law and international organisations discussing foundational principles and doctrines, looking at matters such as the sources of law, structures, jurisdiction, immunities and international responsibility.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should have an enhanced appreciation and understanding of:
- the nature and sources of public international law;
- questions relating to the foundational principles of public international law governing the state and international
organisations; and,
- the evolving role of international organisations in contemporary international law.

On completion of this module, students should also have enhanced the generally transferable skills and specific skills already developed throughout their degree programmes. This module aims to enhance the following skills:
- the ability to present a coherent written legal argument; and,
- the ability to conduct legal research, especially using international legal materials.

Students will be expected to demonstrate these learning outcomes through a two-hour examination in which two questions are to be answered.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to Public International Law
- International Law in Ireland
Sources of International Law
- Treaties, Custom, Judicial Practice and other sources
Subjects of International Law
- States, Sovereignty and Territory
- International Organisations - Personality and Powers
Jurisdiction and Immunities
- States
- International Organisations (Membership and Financing)
Immunities and Privileges
- State Immunity
- International Organisations and Accountability
- Diplomatic Immunity
Responsibility
- Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts
- Responsibility of International Organisations

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

125
Lectures

24
Total

149

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through face-to-face lectures. Presentations used in the lectures will be posted on Brightspace and these will include an indication of reading and additional reading.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LAW30420 - Public International Law II, LAW30430 - Public International Law I


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Examination: A closed book one-hour examination in which the students must answer one question from two questions addressing issues raised in the second half of the module. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
100
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Generalised feedback will also be offered on student performance in the examination.

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