Law of treaties
Module information>
The Law of treaties deals with both theoretical and practical issues of the law of treaties.
Module A deals with fundamental issues of the law of treaties, such as the place of treaties among other sources of international law; conclusion of treaties; and the consent to be bound. Module B deals with the legal issues surrounding the entry into force of a treaty, as well as the scope of treaty obligations, such as reservations to treaties which are one of the core issues of the law of treaties. Module C deals with the legal aspects of the working of treaties. It analyses treaty issues relating to interpretation, conflict, revision, amendment, modification and succession. Module D deals with issues relating to the suspension or termination of treaties, such as material breach of a treaty. Overall the course will provide you with a good knowledge of the law of treaties, the practice of States relating to the law of treaties and the relevant jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals.
Module A: Introduction to the law of treaties
LWM54A
- Introduction to the law of treaties
- Sources of international law with a particular focus on treaties
- Concept of a treaty in international law
- Treaty-making process
- Depositaries, registration and publication of treaties
- Consent to be bound by a treaty
Module B: Entry into force and the scope of treaty obligations
LWM54B
- Entry into force and obligations prior to entry into force
- Reservations to treaties
- Application of treaties (pacta sunt servanda; observance of treaties and internal law; effect on third states)
Module C: Legal aspects of the working of treaties
LWM54C
- Interpretation of treaties
- Conflict of treaties
- Revision, amendment and modification of treaties
- Succession to treaty obligations
Module D: Legal aspects of invalidity, termination and suspension of treaty obligations
LWM54D
- Termination and suspension of treaties
- Invalidity of treaties
- Procedural aspects of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969
- Miscellaneous provisions of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969
Assessment
Each module will be assessed by a 45-minute unseen written examination.
Sequence
It is strongly recommended you attempt Module A first.
How to apply
You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification.
These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:
- Human Rights Law
- International Criminal Justice
- International Dispute Resolution
- International Justice
- Law and Development
- Public International Law