LCP4801 International Law Exam Pack
2024: 50 Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Rationales | 100%
Distinction Guaranteed A+
1. True/False
Question: Pacta sunt servanda enjoins natural persons to implement international
obligations in good faith.
Answer: False
Rationale: Pacta sunt servanda is a principle that obliges states to perform treaty
obligations in good faith, not natural persons.
2. Multiple-Choice
Question: What is the vehicle through which customary rules become part of municipal
legal systems?
A) Doctrine of separation of powers
B) Doctrine of incorporation/transformation
C) Freedom of the seas doctrine
D) Enclosure doctrine
Answer: B) Doctrine of incorporation/transformation
Rationale: Customary international law is integrated into municipal law through
incorporation (automatic adoption) or transformation (legislative enactment).
3. True/False
Question: An international organization is a collectivity of states established by treaty,
with a constitution and common organs, having a distinct personality and treaty-making
capacity.
Answer: True
Rationale: This definition aligns with the Reparations for Injuries case (1949 ICJ Rep
174), confirming international organizations as subjects of international law.
4. Multiple-Response
Question: Which are requirements for the formation of customary international law?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Jus cogens
B) Opinio juris
C) Usus (state practice)
D) Pacta sunt servanda
Answer: B, C
Rationale: Customary international law requires usus (consistent state practice) and
opinio juris (belief in legal obligation). Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms, and pacta
sunt servanda applies to treaties.
, 5. Fill-in-the-Blank
Question: The principle that states must implement their international obligations in
good faith is known as __________.
Answer: Pacta sunt servanda
Rationale: This principle, rooted in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
(1969), ensures states honor treaty commitments.
6. Essay
Question: Is the Southern African Development Community (SADC) a subject of
international law? Provide reasons.
Answer: Yes, the SADC is a subject of international law. It is established by the SADC
Treaty (1992), has a constitution and common organs (e.g., Summit, Tribunal), and
possesses a legal personality distinct from member states, with treaty-making capacity, as
per the Reparations for Injuries case (1949 ICJ Rep 174).
Rationale: International organizations gain legal personality through treaties and
recognition, enabling them to act as subjects under international law.
7. Multiple-Choice
Question: How does international law differ from national law?
A) It is enforced by a central authority
B) It lacks a centralized enforcement mechanism
C) It only applies to individuals
D) It is always codified
Answer: B) It lacks a centralized enforcement mechanism
Rationale: International law relies on state consent and cooperation, unlike national law
with centralized enforcement.
8. True/False
Question: In many countries, treaties have equal status with municipal law without
further action.
Answer: True
Rationale: In monist systems, treaties are automatically part of municipal law upon
ratification, unlike dualist systems requiring transformation.
9. Multiple-Response
Question: Which sources are listed in Article 38(1) of the ICJ Statute? (Select all that
apply.)
A) Treaties
B) Customary international law
C) General principles of law
D) Domestic legislation
E) Judicial decisions
Answers: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Article 38(1) lists treaties, customary law, general principles, and judicial
decisions as sources, but not domestic legislation.
10. Essay
Question: Does a state signatory to the Rome Statute have an obligation to arrest a Head
of State with an ICC arrest warrant at a diplomatic conference?
Answer: Yes, a signatory state is obligated to arrest the Head of State under the Rome
Statute (Article 27), which removes immunity for crimes like genocide. However, the Al
2024: 50 Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Rationales | 100%
Distinction Guaranteed A+
1. True/False
Question: Pacta sunt servanda enjoins natural persons to implement international
obligations in good faith.
Answer: False
Rationale: Pacta sunt servanda is a principle that obliges states to perform treaty
obligations in good faith, not natural persons.
2. Multiple-Choice
Question: What is the vehicle through which customary rules become part of municipal
legal systems?
A) Doctrine of separation of powers
B) Doctrine of incorporation/transformation
C) Freedom of the seas doctrine
D) Enclosure doctrine
Answer: B) Doctrine of incorporation/transformation
Rationale: Customary international law is integrated into municipal law through
incorporation (automatic adoption) or transformation (legislative enactment).
3. True/False
Question: An international organization is a collectivity of states established by treaty,
with a constitution and common organs, having a distinct personality and treaty-making
capacity.
Answer: True
Rationale: This definition aligns with the Reparations for Injuries case (1949 ICJ Rep
174), confirming international organizations as subjects of international law.
4. Multiple-Response
Question: Which are requirements for the formation of customary international law?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Jus cogens
B) Opinio juris
C) Usus (state practice)
D) Pacta sunt servanda
Answer: B, C
Rationale: Customary international law requires usus (consistent state practice) and
opinio juris (belief in legal obligation). Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms, and pacta
sunt servanda applies to treaties.
, 5. Fill-in-the-Blank
Question: The principle that states must implement their international obligations in
good faith is known as __________.
Answer: Pacta sunt servanda
Rationale: This principle, rooted in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
(1969), ensures states honor treaty commitments.
6. Essay
Question: Is the Southern African Development Community (SADC) a subject of
international law? Provide reasons.
Answer: Yes, the SADC is a subject of international law. It is established by the SADC
Treaty (1992), has a constitution and common organs (e.g., Summit, Tribunal), and
possesses a legal personality distinct from member states, with treaty-making capacity, as
per the Reparations for Injuries case (1949 ICJ Rep 174).
Rationale: International organizations gain legal personality through treaties and
recognition, enabling them to act as subjects under international law.
7. Multiple-Choice
Question: How does international law differ from national law?
A) It is enforced by a central authority
B) It lacks a centralized enforcement mechanism
C) It only applies to individuals
D) It is always codified
Answer: B) It lacks a centralized enforcement mechanism
Rationale: International law relies on state consent and cooperation, unlike national law
with centralized enforcement.
8. True/False
Question: In many countries, treaties have equal status with municipal law without
further action.
Answer: True
Rationale: In monist systems, treaties are automatically part of municipal law upon
ratification, unlike dualist systems requiring transformation.
9. Multiple-Response
Question: Which sources are listed in Article 38(1) of the ICJ Statute? (Select all that
apply.)
A) Treaties
B) Customary international law
C) General principles of law
D) Domestic legislation
E) Judicial decisions
Answers: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Article 38(1) lists treaties, customary law, general principles, and judicial
decisions as sources, but not domestic legislation.
10. Essay
Question: Does a state signatory to the Rome Statute have an obligation to arrest a Head
of State with an ICC arrest warrant at a diplomatic conference?
Answer: Yes, a signatory state is obligated to arrest the Head of State under the Rome
Statute (Article 27), which removes immunity for crimes like genocide. However, the Al
