Free International Law MCQs with Answers
63 International Law MCQs from Law and Constitution, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
International law regulates relations among states and other recognised international actors through treaties, customary practice and general legal principles. Coverage includes statehood and recognition, jurisdiction, diplomatic relations, state responsibility, territory, use of force, peaceful dispute settlement and the role of the United Nations, while distinguishing public international law from private international law.
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- A. Judicial precedent
- B. Customary international law
- C. Treaty interpretation
- D. Diplomatic privilege
Explanation: Customary international law requires general and consistent state practice together with opinio juris, meaning a belief that the practice…
Correct answer: Customary international law2. Which feature most clearly distinguishes public international law from private international law?
- A. Public international law governs relations involving international actors, while private international law addresses cross-border private disputes
- B. Public international law applies only during armed conflict, while private international law applies only during peace
- C. Public international law concerns contracts, while private international law concerns diplomatic relations
- D. Public international law is enforced only by national courts, while private international law is enforced only by the United Nations
Explanation: Public international law regulates relations among states, international organisations and other recognised actors.
Correct answer: Public international law governs relations involving international actors, while private international law addresses cross-border private disputes- A. It automatically grants membership in the United Nations
- B. It confirms that the recognised state has diplomatic and legal relations with the recognising state
- C. It transfers sovereignty over disputed territory to the recognising state
- D. It removes the recognised state from the jurisdiction of international law
Explanation: Recognition allows the recognising state to treat the entity as a state for relevant diplomatic and legal purposes.
Correct answer: It confirms that the recognised state has diplomatic and legal relations with the recognising state- A. 3 nautical miles
- B. 6 nautical miles
- C. 12 nautical miles
- D. 24 nautical miles
Explanation: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea recognises a territorial sea extending up to 12 nautical miles from the coastal…
Correct answer: 12 nautical miles- A. A diplomat may be arrested by the receiving state for any local offence
- B. A diplomat is generally protected from the receiving state's criminal jurisdiction
- C. A diplomat automatically becomes a citizen of the receiving state
- D. A diplomat may exercise judicial power over the receiving state's courts
Explanation: Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, diplomatic agents generally enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the…
Correct answer: A diplomat is generally protected from the receiving state's criminal jurisdiction- A. When a private person's conduct causes any international criticism
- B. When conduct is attributable to the state and constitutes a breach of an international obligation
- C. When a state loses a case before any domestic court
- D. When the conduct occurs outside the state's territory in every case
Explanation: State responsibility generally requires two elements: conduct attributable to the state and a breach of an international obligation…
Correct answer: When conduct is attributable to the state and constitutes a breach of an international obligation- A. The use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a state
- B. The peaceful settlement of disputes through negotiation
- C. The conclusion of treaties between sovereign states
- D. The participation of states in United Nations organs
Explanation: Article 2(4) establishes the general prohibition on the threat or use of force against a state's territorial integrity or political…
Correct answer: The use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a state- A. Negotiation
- B. Mediation
- C. Arbitration
- D. Good offices
Explanation: Arbitration refers to the submission of a dispute to one or more arbitrators whose decision is normally binding under the parties'…
Correct answer: Arbitration- A. The automatic consent of every United Nations member
- B. The consent of the states concerned, expressed through an accepted legal basis
- C. A request made by any private individual affected by the dispute
- D. The nationality of the judges hearing the case
Explanation: The International Court of Justice is based on the consent of states in contentious proceedings.
Correct answer: The consent of the states concerned, expressed through an accepted legal basis- A. Satisfaction
- B. Restitution
- C. Countermeasure
- D. Retorsion
Explanation: Restitution aims, where possible, to re-establish the situation that existed before the wrongful act occurred.
Correct answer: Restitution11. Which of the following is not a traditional criterion of statehood under the Montevideo Convention?
- A. A permanent population
- B. A defined territory
- C. A permanent member of the United Nations
- D. A government capable of external relations
Explanation: The traditional criteria are a permanent population, defined territory, government, and capacity to enter relations with other states.
Correct answer: A permanent member of the United Nations- A. To create obligations accepted by its parties
- B. To bind every state in the world automatically
- C. To replace all customary international law
- D. To give courts unlimited jurisdiction
Explanation: A treaty creates legal rights and obligations for the states that consent to be bound, subject to its terms and applicable international…
Correct answer: To create obligations accepted by its parties- A. Diplomatic protection
- B. State immunity
- C. Universal jurisdiction
- D. Active nationality
Explanation: State immunity reflects the equality and sovereignty of states and generally limits one state's courts from hearing cases against another…
Correct answer: State immunity- A. Territorial jurisdiction
- B. Universal jurisdiction
- C. Nationality jurisdiction
- D. Protective jurisdiction
Explanation: Universal jurisdiction permits states to prosecute certain offences regarded as particularly serious under international law, including…
Correct answer: Universal jurisdiction- A. Treaties must be performed in good faith
- B. Treaties must be approved by every state
- C. Treaties cannot ever be terminated
- D. Treaties apply only during armed conflict
Explanation: Pacta sunt servanda means that treaties in force are binding on their parties and must be performed in good faith.
Correct answer: Treaties must be performed in good faith- A. Consent by the affected state
- B. Economic competition between states
- C. A change in national government
- D. A disagreement over treaty meaning
Explanation: Valid consent by an affected state can preclude the wrongfulness of conduct within the limits of that consent.
Correct answer: Consent by the affected state- A. Personal immunity
- B. Territorial sovereignty
- C. Universal jurisdiction
- D. The nationality principle
Explanation: Diplomatic agents generally enjoy personal immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving state under diplomatic law.
Correct answer: Personal immunity- A. The General Assembly
- B. The Security Council
- C. The Economic and Social Council
- D. The International Court of Justice
Explanation: The United Nations Charter assigns primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to the Security Council.
Correct answer: The Security Council- A. It may be set aside by any later treaty
- B. It permits no derogation by states
- C. It applies only to domestic criminal law
- D. It binds only states that expressly accept it
Explanation: A jus cogens norm is accepted and recognised by the international community as a norm from which no derogation is permitted.
Correct answer: It permits no derogation by states- A. Arbitration
- B. Judicial settlement
- C. Mediation
- D. Countermeasure
Explanation: Mediation involves a third party assisting negotiations and may include proposed terms, but the parties retain control over acceptance.
Correct answer: MediationInternational Law MCQs: common questions
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There are 63 International Law MCQs in the Law and Constitution bank, shown 20 to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
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