What is national law? The answer depends on who you ask. Dualists assume that national courts will apply national law, and that the national system will decide which rule prevails. This isn’t always the case. Some national laws are more applicable than others, depending on the particular context. In this article, we’ll look at the role of national law in international disputes. Then, we’ll look at some of the best cases of national law, and how the United Nations might help.
A seminal event in international law, the Peace of Westphalia, established the concept of independent sovereign entities, or “nation states.” A nation state is defined by its non-interference with the domestic affairs of other states, regardless of size. From the 1648 Peace of Westphalia on, the concept of the nation-state changed quickly, in response to the emergence of increasingly complex international relations. Today, national laws define rights that are not granted to any other state.
In many countries, courts interpret national laws. Courts decide which cases have the most meaning. In the United States, courts decide on whether certain rules are constitutional or not. In the United Kingdom, judges can also enforce laws based on national laws. While national laws may differ across countries, they are generally binding on the states. It is a good idea to understand what your country’s national laws are before you decide on the outcome of a lawsuit.