International law is the legal framework that regulates interactions among sovereign states and other entities like organizations, individuals or companies operating in more than one country. It’s a broad field with the potential to encompass all aspects of human activity that crosses national borders. As a result, the study of international law can lead to many different career paths.

While some people might think that the field of international law has a negative connotation, it’s actually an incredibly important and useful tool for promoting global peace, understanding and trade. Without the binding agreements, standards and rules that international law provides, it would be much more difficult to coordinate shipping, communication and other hallmarks of global exchange.

The field of international law has grown beyond purely diplomatic and military matters, covering areas such as environmental and economic issues, human rights, space laws, and more. It’s a wide and varied discipline that can be rewarding to work in as a lawyer or a researcher.

A lot of the work in this field can involve travel, especially if you’re working at an NGO or for a large firm with operations overseas. This can be a drawback for those who want to stay close to home, but it’s also a great opportunity for those with cultural or linguistic specialisms. In fact, the very best lawyers in this field often have a unique insight into their client’s needs because of their knowledge of another language or cultural heritage.