Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
International law
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Jeremy Bentham Oil portrait of Hugo de Groot, also known as Hugo Grotius, by the workshop of Michiel Janszoon van Mierevelt, showing him with a ruffled white collar and dark clothing. Stimson, Henry L. September 11 attacks
Hear about the formation, functions, and limitations of the International Criminal Court
Know the role and function of the four organs of the International Criminal Court: the Presidency, the Judicial Divisions, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the Registry
Watch the prosecution and defense lawyers speaking on the Katanga case at the International Criminal Court
At a Glance
Jeremy Bentham
international law summary
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Jeremy Bentham
Jeremy Bentham Utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham, detail of an oil painting by H.W. Pickersgill, 1829; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

International law

Also known as: law of nations, public international law
Written by
Malcolm Shaw
Sir Robert Jennings Professor of International Law, University of Leicester, England. Barrister and founder of the European Consortium of Law. Author of International Law and others.
Malcolm Shaw
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

International law, the body of legal rules, norms, and standards that apply between sovereign states and other entities that are legally recognized as international actors. The term was coined by the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832). According to Bentham’s classic definition, international law is a collection of rules governing relations between states. It is a mark of how far international law has evolved that this original definition omits individuals and international organizations—two of the most...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile