There are several branches of international law. Public international law governs relations among states and international organizations. Private international law, also known as conflict of laws, focuses on dealings between individuals. Both types are important and complex. There are many nuances and differences between international law and public law. If you want to learn more, read the following sections. But before you read on, know that international law is not the same as national law. There are some common misconceptions about both areas.

Historically, international law has had two strands. There are those that protect individual rights while still respecting the sovereignty of states. The International Criminal Court is one example of a state-oriented court. The issues surrounding the International Criminal Court will be addressed after we look at the state-oriented courts. However, the legal system must be clear in order to protect human rights. In the meantime, states must not violate the rights of other states. This means that international law must be interpreted carefully.

Although international law has a wide variety of norms, it is a multi-faceted field that is characterized by a diversity of actors and institutions. Although states remain the primary addressees of international norms, non-state actors increasingly engage in the creation and dissemination of international law. Many of these actors are acting against the interests of their state to make themselves look good. This approach fails to address the complexities of international law. It’s a mistake to use purely empirical analysis to define the scope of international law.