Master Judicial Decisions in International Law: Enhance Your Legal Expertise

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

Accepted Answer

To settle disagreements between countries with legally binding decisions

Answer

To uphold international human rights laws

Answer

To offer expert legal advice to international organizations

Question 2

What is a key characteristic of advisory opinions issued by international courts?

Accepted Answer

They can be requested by any state or international organization for legal guidance.

Answer

They are legally binding on all states.

Answer

They have the same legal weight as judgments from international courts.

Answer

They are only issued by the International Court of Justice.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a recognized source of international law?

Accepted Answer

National laws of individual countries

Answer

International treaties

Answer

Established customs of states

Answer

General principles of jurisprudence

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a persuasive source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Judicial decisions

Answer

General principles of law recognized by civilized nations

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary international law

Question 5

Which international court has exclusive jurisdiction to interpret and apply the UN Charter?

Accepted Answer

International Court of Justice

Answer

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Answer

European Court of Human Rights

Answer

International Criminal Court

Question 6

The principle of stare decisis in international law refers to:

Accepted Answer

The persuasive effect of previous judicial decisions on the interpretation of law

Answer

The binding nature of judgments from international courts

Answer

The requirement to obtain unanimous consent before amending treaties

Question 7

The advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice is:

Accepted Answer

Non-binding but influential

Answer

Subject to the approval of the UN Security Council

Answer

Binding on all UN member states

Answer

Only binding on the parties to the dispute

Question 8

Which of the following cases established the principle of erga omnes obligations in international law?

Accepted Answer

Barcelona Traction Case

Answer

Nicaragua v. United States

Answer

Lotus Case

Answer

Corfu Channel Case

Question 9

The principle of equitable estoppel in international law prevents a state from:

Accepted Answer

Denying the validity of its own previous conduct

Answer

Challenging the jurisdiction of an international court

Answer

Withdrawing from an international treaty

Question 10

The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was established to prosecute crimes committed during the:

Accepted Answer

Yugoslav Wars

Answer

Cambodian Genocide

Answer

Rwanda Genocide

Answer

Sierra Leone Civil War

Question 11

The principle of "pacta sunt servanda" in international law refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Legal obligation to fulfill treaty obligations in good faith

Answer

Requirement for treaties to be ratified by all parties

Answer

Right of states to withdraw from treaties at will

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a primary source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Judicial decisions

Answer

Customary international law

Answer

General principles of law recognized by civilized nations

Answer

Treaties

Question 13

What is the doctrine of stare decisis in the context of judicial decisions?

Accepted Answer

The principle that courts should follow precedents set by earlier decisions of the same or higher courts

Answer

The principle that treaties are binding on all states

Answer

The principle that international law is superior to domestic law

Question 14

Which of the following landmark cases is considered to have established the principle of judicial review in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Marbury v. Madison

Answer

Citizens United v. FEC

Answer

Brown v. Board of Education

Question 15

What is the key distinction between an advisory opinion and a binding judgment issued by an international court?

Accepted Answer

Advisory opinions are non-binding, while binding judgments are legally enforceable

Answer

Advisory opinions are binding on all states, while binding judgments are only binding on the parties involved

Answer

Binding judgments are advisory in nature, while advisory opinions are legally enforceable

Question 16

What is the primary jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

Accepted Answer

To adjudicate disputes between states and to issue advisory opinions on legal questions

Answer

To create new international law

Answer

To enforce international law

Question 17

Which of the following best describes a per curiam opinion?

Accepted Answer

An unsigned opinion issued by the full court, representing the unanimous view of all judges

Answer

An opinion written by a majority of the court

Answer

An opinion written by a dissenting judge

Answer

An opinion written by a single judge

Question 18

What is the fundamental principle of judicial independence?

Accepted Answer

Judges should be free from political or other improper influences when making decisions

Answer

Judges should be elected by the people they serve

Answer

Judges should be appointed for life

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential criticism of the use of judicial precedent?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to a lack of flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances

Answer

It ensures that similar cases are treated the same way

Answer

It promotes consistency and predictability in the law

Question 20

What is the role of comparative law in the development of international law?

Accepted Answer

It facilitates the exchange of ideas and experiences among different legal systems

Answer

It weakens the sovereignty of states

Answer

It creates a uniform body of law that applies to all states

Question 21

In an international criminal tribunal, what is the prosecutor's main responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Investigating and prosecuting serious international crimes

Answer

Representing victims

Answer

Issuing arrest warrants and compelling witnesses

Answer

Providing legal advice to the tribunal

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Judicial decisions of national courts

Answer

Treaties

Answer

General principles of law recognized by civilized nations

Answer

Customary international law

Question 23

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the main judicial organ of which international organization?

Accepted Answer

United Nations

Answer

European Union

Answer

World Trade Organization

Answer

International Criminal Court

Question 24

What does the principle of stare decisis mean in the context of international law?

Accepted Answer

It encourages international courts to follow precedents set by higher courts or previous decisions.

Answer

It allows international courts to completely disregard past precedents.

Answer

It prohibits international courts from referring to decisions made by national courts.

Question 25

What is a key characteristic of persuasive authority in international law?

Accepted Answer

It is not binding on courts but can be cited as supporting arguments.

Answer

It is always created by international organizations.

Answer

It has the same legal force as binding precedents.

Question 26

What is the legal effect of advisory opinions issued by the ICJ?

Accepted Answer

They are not binding on states but can provide valuable guidance on legal issues.

Answer

They are only issued in cases involving disputes between states.

Answer

They have the same legal force as judgments in contentious cases.

Question 27

Which of the following is a central principle of natural law theory?

Accepted Answer

There are universal moral principles that exist independently of human laws and states.

Answer

International law is only based on the agreement and consent of states.

Answer

Law is solely created by the state and can be changed at any time.

Question 28

What does the doctrine of sovereign immunity protect states from?

Accepted Answer

Being sued in the courts of other states without their consent.

Answer

Exercising jurisdiction over other states.

Answer

Entering into treaties with other states.

Question 29

What is the principle of "jus cogens" in international law?

Accepted Answer

It refers to fundamental principles of international law that are binding on all states and cannot be overridden by treaty or custom.

Answer

It refers to treaties that have been ratified by all states.

Answer

It refers to customary international law that is universally accepted.