National law is a body of legal rules that govern the actions of a nation. Its principles can be derived from the national constitution or other laws. This body of law is practiced by the courts and other governmental officials.
National law is different from international law in many ways. First, it is based on the specific jurisdiction of a state. Secondly, it may be based on unwritten trade rules, or it can be derived from the customs of a nation.
National laws are often referred to as domestic laws. When a national constitution provides for the integration of international legal obligations into its domestic law, it is considered a national law.
International law is a complex area, and it can be difficult to determine whether a particular rule is applicable. Many scholars believe that only states can enter into commitments to international law voluntarily.
A nation may be considered incompatible with supranational laws if it is unable to uphold them. The issue is not so much which rule prevails, but which system takes a different approach.
If a national court is faced with a dispute, it will examine what rule is in place and decide if it is appropriate. Sometimes, it will refer to the previous court decisions. Other times, it will use a combination of factual questions and the law.
The concept of a national law is controversial, and its precise definition is unknown. Some commentators argue that it is a universal autonomous legal system that can be applied by any state. Others, however, argue that it is a wishful notion.