National law is the body of law governing a specific country or state. It is made up of various treaties and other instruments that set out limits on state behavior. Moreover, many other international agreements create bodies that are responsible for regulating the behavior of different states. The Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Geneva Convention are some examples of such institutions.

You can read a national law publication in two ways: in an online version or a printable version. Online versions feature enhanced search functionality and are updated regularly. In the printable PDF file, you can check for changes made since the previous edition by checking the “Show modifications” box in the top right hand corner. Changes involving insertions and deletions are outlined in green background and red strikethrough font.

The concept of a-national law has gained attention in recent years. Some commentators contend that a-national law may exist and that it regulates commercial transactions across national borders. If so, this could threaten the traditional dichotomy between international and national law. Nevertheless, the practical applications of this theory are unknown.

Substantive law defines rights and crimes in criminal and civil law. These laws may be codified in statutes or exist through precedent in common law. For example, landowners have a duty to keep their premises in a safe condition, while drivers are required to obey speed limits.