LibGuides: Public International Law Research: Treaties

Understanding Basic Treaties Terminology

Treaties Terminology

A treaty is defined as "any international agreement in written form concluded between two or more States or other subjects of international law and governed by international law."

Treaties are often characterized according to the number of signatory nations. Bilateral treaties are those involving two nations, and they typically resemble contracts. Multilateral treaties are those involving more than two nations, and they can address a variety of international issues or concerns.
Treaties may also go by a variety of names, including: convention, protocol, covenant, charter, statute, act, declaration, agreement, partnership, etc.

For more information on treaties and their purposes, please see James Crawford, Brownlee's Principles of Public International Law 369-371 (8th ed. 2012).

Background Reading on Treaties and Other International Agreements

Modern Treaty Law and Practice by Anthony Aust
ISBN: 9780521860970
Publication Date: 2007-10-18
On the publication of its first edition, this textbook was welcomed as the definitive study of treaty law written from the viewpoint of an experienced practitioner. As with the first, this edition aims to provide the student and practitioner with a full understanding of the law and updates existing information and refines previous arguments. New to its scope of examination is the study of the use of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in litigation, the treaty-making capacity of entities such as the Vatican, Taiwan and Palestine, and the effect of hostilities on treaties.
The Oxford Guide to Treaties by Duncan B. Hollis (Editor)
ISBN: 9780199601813
Publication Date: 2012-10-12
From trade relations to greenhouse gasses, from shipwrecks to cybercrime, treaties structure the rights and obligations of states, international organizations and individuals. For centuries, treaties have regulated relations among nation states. They are the dominant source of internationallaw. The Oxford Guide to Treaties provides a comprehensive guide to treaties, shedding light on the rules and practices surrounding the making, interpretation, and operation of these instruments.
Public International Law in a Nutshell by Thomas Buergenthal; Sean Murphy
ISBN: 9781683282396
Publication Date: 2018-10-17
This Sixth Edition of Public International Law in a Nutshell is a concise yet accurate summary of the field of public international law, covering its basic sources, actors, and procedures, and key subject matter areas, such as human rights, the law of the sea, international environmental law, the law of war, and U.S. foreign relations law. This edition is fully updated to include recent treaties, institutions, and Supreme Court decisions. The book is intended to be helpful for students, scholars, and practitioners alike.
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties by Oliver Dörr (Editor); Kirsten Schmalenbach (Editor)
ISBN: 3642192904
Publication Date: 2011-12-13
The Commentary on the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties provides an in-depth article-by-article analysis of all provisions of the Vienna Convention. The texts are uniformly structured: (I) Purpose and Function of the Article, (II) Historical Background and Negotiating History, and (III) Elements of the Article. The Vienna Convention on Treaties between States and IOs and between IOs is taken into account where appropriate. In sum, the present Commentary contains a comprehensive legal analysis of all aspects of the international law of treaties.