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University of the Philippines

College of Law
1st Semester 2021-2022

Law 111 – PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

COURSE GUIDE

Prof. Rommel J. Casis

Rm. 302, Malcolm Hall
Email: [email protected]
Consultation hours: Mon to Fri, 8 to 5 pm (except class hours) and by appointment

Course Description:

An introduction to the international legal system with emphasis on sources and subjects of
law and international responsibility.

Grading System:

I. Class participation - 50 pts

This will be in the form of online discussion forums, quizzes and submission of assignments.
Please refer to Class Participation Guide for further details.

II. Final Exam - 50 pts

The Final Exam will be submitted online within a designated time period. Further details on
the Final Exam format, coverage and requirements will be discussed on the last week.

Conversion Table:

1 = 96 – 100 2.0 = 76 – 80 3 = 56 – 60
1.25 = 91– 95 2.25 = 71 – 75 4 = 51 – 55
1.5 = 86 – 90 2.5 = 66 – 70 5 = 50 & below
1.75 = 81– 85 2.75 = 61 – 65

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References

Books:1

Birnie, et al, International Law and the Environment (3rd ed) [“Birnie”]
Bodansky et al, The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law [“Bodansky”]
Cassese, Antonio, International Law (2nd Ed) [“Cassese”]
Crawford, James, Brownlie’s Principles of Public International Law [“Crawford”]
Evans, Malcolm, International Law (2nd Ed) [“Evans”]
Harris, DJ, International Law (6th ed) [“Harris”]
Higgins, Rosalyn, Problem and Process: International Law and How We Use it [“Higgins”]
Kolb, Robert, The International Court of Justice [“Kolb”]
Kolb, Robert and Hyde, Richard, An Introduction to the International Law of Armed
Conflicts [“Kolb & Hyde”]
Magallona, Merlin, The Supreme Court and International Law
Melzer, Nils, International Humanitarian Law: A Comprehensive Introduction [“Melzer”]
Malaya and Casis, Treaties: Guidance on Practice and Procedures
Rothwell, et. al, The Oxford Handbook of the Law of the Sea [“Rothwell”]
Smith, Rhona, Textbook on International Human Rights (6th ed) [“Smith”]

Treaties:

Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees ["RefCon"]

Convention on Biological Diversity [“CBD”]
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [“ICCPR”]
International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights [“ICESCR”]
International Court of Justice Statute [“ICJS”]
Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC [“Kyoto”]
Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States [“Montevideo”]
Paris Climate Agreement [“Paris”]
Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees ["RefPro"]
United Nations Charter [“UNC”]
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea [“UNCLOS”]
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change [“UNFCCC”]
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations [“VCCR”]
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations [“VCDR”]
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties [“VCLOT”]

Other International Law Instruments:

Draft articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, with
commentaries (2001) [“ARSIWA”]
Draft Articles on Diplomatic Protection with Commentaries [“ADP”]
Draft Articles on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property [“AJI”]
Articles on Prevention of Transboundary Harm from Hazardous Activities (with commentaries)
[“APTH”]

1 These books are not required to be purchased. Scanned copies of assigned pages will be made available for those not found online.
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Draft conclusions on identification of customary international law, with commentaries (2018)

[“DCICL”]
Peremptory Norms of General International Law: Text of the draft conclusions and draft
annex provisionally adopted by the Drafting Committee on first reading A/CN.4/L.936
(2019) [“DCJC”]
Guiding Principles Applicable to Unilateral Declarations of States Capable of Creating Legal
Obligations, with commentaries thereto (2006) [‘GPUDS”]
Universal Declaration of Human Rights ["UDHR"]

Websites:

ICJ Cases: http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3

PCIJ Cases: http://www.icj-cij.org/pcij/series-a-b.php?p1=9&p2=3
International Law Commission (ILC): http://legal.un.org/ilc/

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course, each student should be able to:

 understand the basic rules and structure of the international legal system;
 distinguish between “objective international law” and the Philippine practice of
international law;
 appreciate the relevance and application of international law;
 understand the most important concepts of international law;
 identify and use key international law concepts and rules to address various scenarios
and provide solutions to international law problems;
 argue clearly, substantially and convincingly about international legal issues;
 explain how international law is domesticated and applied to Philippine problems; and
 determine inconsistencies between international and domestic law.

WEEK 1

Topics:

Course Requirements and Procedures

Class Participation
Final Exam
Optional Term Paper
Reading ICJ cases
How to Answer Questions
Participating in Discussion Forums

I. History, Nature and Function of International Law

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II. Sources of Law

A. In General

Resources:

Evans 29-52, 115-121, 132-134

Article 38 International Court of Justice (“ICJ”) Statute
Anthony D’Amato, Is International Law Really Law? 79 Northwestern L Rev (1985), 1293

Optional:
Anthea Roberts, Is International law, international? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKV0YoGMf2k
Antony Anghie, History and International law https://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Anghie_IL.html

WEEK 2

B. Treaties
1. In general
2. Consent
3. Binding effect
a. Object and purpose
b. Pacta sunt servanda
c. Third states
4. Reservations
5. Interpretation
6. Invalidity of Treaties
7. Termination and Suspension

Resources:

Evans 187-193
Arts. 1-6, 11-14, 18, 19, 26 – 28, 31-36, 38, 45-53, 60-62 VCLOT
Crawford 378-394; Evans 193-212
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 3.1.5 Guide to Practice on Reservation to Treaties
Maritime Delimitation and Territorial Questions (Qatar and Bahrain) (Judgment) July 1, 1994
Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya) Judgment of Feb 2 2017
Obligation to Negotiate Access To The Pacific Ocean (Bolivia v. Chile) October 1, 20182
Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya) Judgment of Feb 2 2017
GabCikovo-Nagymaros (Hungary v. Slovakia), Judgment 1997
Questions Relating to the Obligation to Prosecute or Extradite (Belgium v. Senegal), Judgment, July
20, 2012
Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (New Application: 2002) (Democratic
Republic of the Congo v. Rwanda), Jurisdiction and Admissibility, Judgment
Competence of the General Assembly (Ad Op) ICJ 1950
Aegean Sea Continental Shelf, (Judgment) ICJ 1978

2 A case in itals means that only the relevant principles stated in the case are important, not the detailed facts.
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Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. case (Jurisdiction), Judgment ICJ 1952

KasikililSedudu Island (Botswana/Namibia,) Judgment 13 December 1999
Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan) Judgment March 31 2014
Land and Maritime Boundary Between Cameroon and Nigeria, Judgment 10 October 2002
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand) June 15, 1962

Optional:
Anthony D’Amato, The Sources of International law: General Sources
https://legal.un.org/avl/ls/D-Amato_IL.html

WEEK 3

Topics:

C. Custom
1. Definition and features
2. Binding effect
3. Elements
4. Local/Regional Custom
D. General Principles of Law
1. Definition and nature
2. Historical background
3. How applied
E. Judicial Decisions and Teachings
F. Declarations and other sources
G. Soft Law and Non-Binding Documents
H. “Super norms”
1. Jus Cogens
2. Obligations Erga Omnes

Resources:

Evans 121-132, 135-138, 141-156

Crawford 23-30, 34-44
Cassese 184-185
Articles 38, 59 ICJ Statute
Arts. 53, 64, 71 VCLOT
Conclusion 4-6, 8, 10, 12, 15, DCICL
Preamble, Principle 1, 3-5, 7, 9-10 GPUDS
Draft Conclusions 2-9, 17, 19, 23 DCJC
North Sea Continental Shelf Cases (Judgment) ICJ 1969
Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports 1996, p. 226
Jurisdictional Immunities of the State (Germany v. Italy) Judgment 3 February 2012
Right of Passage Over Indian Territory (Judgment) 12 April 1960
Asylum Case (Judgment) ICJ 1950
Military and paramilitary activities in and against Nicaragua (Judgement) ICJ 1986
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Legal Status of Eastern Greenland PCIJ Rep (1933)

Nuclear Tests (New Zealand v. France) Judgment, ICJ Rep 1974
Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (New Application: 2002) (Democratic Republic of the
Congo v. Rwanda), Jurisdiction and Admissibility, Judgment
Jurisdictional Immunities of the State (Germany v. Italy) Judgment 3 Feb 2012
Barcelona Traction (Belgium v. Sain) ICJ Report (1970)
East Timor (Portugal v. Australia) ICJ Report (1995)
Questions relating to the Obligation to Prosecute or Extradite (Belgium v. Senegal), Judgment, July
20, 2012
Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Advisory
Opinion July 9, 2004

Optional Readings and Video

Evans 159-174
Cassese, 156-169, 188-194, 198-212
Maurice Mendelson, Customary International Law https://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Mendelson_IL.html#
Aldo Borda, A Formal Approach to Article 38(1)(d) of the ICJ Statute from the Perspective of the
International Criminal Courts and Tribunals, EJIL (2013), Vol. 24 No. 2, 649–661
Hartmut Hilgenberg, A Fresh Look at Soft Law, EJIL (1999) Vol 10 No 3 499

WEEK 4

Topics:

III. Subjects of International Law

A. States
1. Statehood and Recognition
2. Continuity & Succession
3. Sovereignty and Jurisdiction
4. State immunity
5. Diplomatic and Consular Relations

B. International Organizations
1. In General
2. United Nations

C. The Individual

1. Nationality
2. Diplomatic Protection

Resources:

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Crawford 115-116, 128-130, 143-153, 192-196, 204-206, 311-312, 395-414, 423-424, 426-427, 456-
471, 487-490, 509-518
Evans 217-219, 231-242, 277-284, 307-319, 322-323, 335-358, 768-780
Montevideo Arts. 1-11
Articles 10-14, 25, 33-38, and 48-50, UNC
Arts. 27-28, 91-92 UNCLOS
VCDR Articles 1-3, 22, 24, 29-32, 38, 39, 41
VCCR Articles 1-3, 5, 31, 36, 40-43
Arts. 1-7, 9, 14, 15 ADP3
Reparation for injuries suffered in the service of the United Nations (Ad Op) I.C.J. 1949
The Lotus PCIJ Series A No,10 (1927)
Jurisdictional Immunities of the State, Judgment 3 February 2012
US Diplomatic and Consular Staff, ICJ 1980
Arrest Warrant ICJ Judgment (2002)
Certain Questions of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Judgment 4 June 2008
Mavrommatis Palestine Concessions (Jurisdiction) PCIJ 1924
Nottebohm (second phase) Judgment ICJ 1955
Barcelona Traction, Light and Power Company, Limited, (Judgment) ICJ 1970

Optional Resources:
Cassese 71-80, 135-140, 142-150
Evans 247-259
Personality Under International Law https://youtu.be/XmOlNh_F2v0
The Elements of Statehood https://youtu.be/cj-Uvw4qEec
State Recognition https://youtu.be/euwsKG5MyqM
The Concept of International Organizations https://youtu.be/21Y9zLJgrTE
Unilateral act of secession prohibited? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyzelZ7V-UE
Chiara Georgetti, The Evolving Position of the Individual in International Law
https://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Giorgetti_IL.html#
Articles 1-14, ILC Draft Declaration on the Rights and Duties of States (1949)

WEEK 5

Topics:

IV. State Responsibility

A. Internationally Wrongful Acts
B. Attribution
C. Breach of an International Obligation
D. Circumstances Precluding Wrongfulness
E. Countermeasures and Sanctions
F. Legal Consequences of Internationally Wrongful Act
H. Applicability of ARSIWA

Resources:

3 The assignment covers material discussed in the commentary.

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Crawford 258-262, 539-562, 566-577

James Crawford, Articles on Responsibility of States For Internationally Wrongful Acts
http://legal.un.org/avl/pdf/ha/rsiwa/rsiwa_e.pdf (use Chrome)
Arts. 1-3, 4-11, Arts. 12-15, 22, Arts. 20-27, 28-31, 34-37, 49-54, 55-59 ARSIWA4
Corfu Channel Case (Judgment) ICJ April 9, 1940
US Diplomatic and Consular Staff ICJ 1980
GabCikovo-Nagymaros (Judgment) ICJ 1997
Rainbow Warrior (New Zealand vs France), France-New Zealand Arbitration Tribunal, 82 ILR 500,
1990

Optional Reading
Cassese 300-307, 310-313
Evans 451-475, 509-531

WEEK 6

VI. Territory

Topics:

A. Territorial Sovereignty
B. Modes of Acquiring Territory
C. Maritime Territory
1. Baselines
2. Archipelagic states

a. Straight archipelagic baselines

b. Archipelagic waters
c. Archipelagic sea lanes passage
d. Regime of islands

3. Internal waters
4. Territorial sea
5. Contiguous zone
6. Exclusive economic zone
7. Continental shelf
8. High seas

Resources
Crawford 215-240, 255-260, 264-279, 298-302, 317-320

4 ARSIWA for purposes of this outline refers not only to the articles but the accompanying commentaries as well.
http://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/commentaries/9_6_2001.pdf
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Evans 623-638, 641-645

Arts. 1-8, 15, 17-21, 24-25, 33, 46-47, 53, 55-58, 60, 76-77, 86-89, 121 UNCLOS
Eastern Greenland PCIJ 1933
Island of Palmas RIAA April 4, 1928
Sovereignty over Pulau Ligutan
Republic Act No. 9522

Optional Readings:
Rothwell 69-113, 134-225
Defending Philippine Sovereign Rights in the West Philippine Sea https://youtu.be/2GWcgKNMxjo

WEEK 7

Topics:

VII. Dispute Settlement

A. Diplomatic Methods
B. International Court of Justice
C. International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
D. Use of Force
1. Prohibition
2. Exceptions

Resources:

Evans 533-549, 589-608

Crawford 723-732, 734-737, 744-767
Kolb & Hyde 9-14
Rothwell 394-415
Arts. 2, 33, 39, 42, 43.1, 51, 53.1, 92-94, 96 UN Charter
Arts. 34-36, 65-68 ICJ Statute
Arts. 279-280, 282-284, 286-288 UNCLOS
Application of the Interim Accord of 13 September 1995 Judgment December 5, 2011
Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean Prelim. Obj. Feb 2, 2017
Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999 ICJ Judgment 21 June 2000
Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons (Ad Op) ICJ 1996
Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall (Ad Op) ICJ 2004
Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua ICJ 1986 Judgment on Merits
Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Judgment) ICJ 2005
Oil Platforms (Judgment) I.C.J. Rep 2003
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Optional Reading
Cassese 354-374

WEEK 8

Topics

VIII. International Humanitarian law

A. Categories of armed conflicts
1. International armed conflicts
2. Internal or non-international armed conflict
3. War of national liberation
B. Core international obligations of States
C. Principles of international humanitarian law (distinction and proportionality)
1. Treatment of civilians
2. Prisoners of war
D. Law on neutrality

Resources:

Kolb & Hyde 15-20, 43-50, 61-71, 73-91, 125-139, 209-227, 277-282
Melzer, 15-20, 52-59, 66-72, 80-96, 100-123
Arts. 2, 3, Geneva Conventions
Article 1, Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions
Article 1(4), Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.
Prosecutor v. Tadic (ICTY Appeals Chamber, 1995).
Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, Advisory Opinion (ICJ, 1996)

Optional Reading
Evans 783-808
Cassese 404-434

Week 9

Topics:

IX. International Human Rights Law

A. Right to Life
B. Freedom from Torture
C. Right to Self-Determination

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D. Treatment of aliens
E. Statelessness/Refugees

Resources
Smith 5-10, 22-30, 37-50, 61-65, 217-226, 235-238, 289-302, 382-384
Art. 3, 5, Art. 15 UDHR
Art. 1, 2, 6, 7, ICCPR
Art. 1, 2 ICESCR
Art. 1, 7 RefCon
Art 1, RefPro

Week 10

Topics:

X. International Environmental
A. Principles
1. Precautionary principle
2. Sustainable Development
3. Sic Utere Tuo
4. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities
5. Common Concern for Human Kind
B. Climate Change
C. Biodiversity
D. Marine Environment

Resources

Crawford 352-364
Birnie, 115-127, 136-138, 143-164, 335-342, 356-360, 379-384, 386-390, 612-623,
Bodansky, 597-612
Principle 21 Stockholm Declaration
Principles 1, 2, 4, 7, 15 Rio Declaration
Preamble, Articles 1-4, UNFCCC
Preamble, Article 2, Paris
Preamble, Articles 1-6, 8-10, 14, 22 CBD
Art. 61-62, 192-196 UNCLOS
Arts. 1-3, APTH

Optional Reading
Evans 657-685
Cassese 213-237

Week 11
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XI. International Law and Municipal Law

A. Dualist v. Monist
B. National Law from the Point of View of International Law

Crawford 48-59
Evans 423-429, 435-446
Arts. 3 & 32 ARSIWA
Arts. 27 & 46 VCLOT

XII. International Law According to Philippine Law

A. International Law v. National Law

Art. VIII § 4, 5(2)(a) Const.

Tañada v. Angara, G.R. No. 118295, [May 2, 1997]
Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, 138572, 138587, 138680, 138698, [October 10, 2000]
Lim v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 151445, [April 11, 2002]
Nicolas y Sombilon v. Romulo, G.R. No. 175888, 176051, 176222, [February 11, 2009]
Bayan Muna v. Romulo, G.R. No. 159618, [February 1, 2011]

B. Sources of International Law

Bayan Muna v. Romulo, G.R. No. 159618, [February 1, 2011]

Pharmaceutical and Health Care Assn. of the Philippines v. Health Secretary, G.R. No. 173034, October 9,
2007
Land Bank v. Atlanta Industries, G.R. No. 193796, July 2, 2014
Saguisag v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 212426, January 12, 2016

1. Doctrine of Incorporation

Art II. § 2 Const.

Bayan Muna v. Romulo, G.R. No. 159618, [February 1, 2011]
Tañada v. Angara, G.R. No. 118295, [May 2, 1997]
Pharmaceutical and Health Care Assn. v. Health Secretary, G.R. No. 173034, October 9, 2007

2. Ratification of Treaties

Art. VII § 21 Const

Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, 138572, 138587, 138680, 138698, [October 10, 2000]
Pimentel, Jr. v. Office of the Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 158088, [July 6, 2005]

Week 12

C. Jus Cogens and Erga Omnes

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Vinuya v. Romulo, G.R. No. 162230, [April 28, 2010]

D. State/Diplomatic Immunity

USA v. Guinto, G.R. No. 76607, 79470, 80018, 80258, [February 26, 1990]
Arigo v. Swift, G.R. No. 206510, [September 16, 2014]
WHO v. Aquino, G.R. No. L-35131, [November 29, 1972]
China National Machinery v. Santamaria, G.R. No. 185572, February 7, 2012

E. Diplomatic Protection

Vinuya v. Romulo, G.R. No. 162230, [April 28, 2010]

F. International Organizations

International Catholic v. Calleja, G.R. No. 85750, 89331, [September 28, 1990]
DFA v. NLRC, G.R. No. 113191, September 18, 1996

G. Extradition

P.D. 1069
Secretary of Justice v. Lantion, G.R. No. 139465 (Resolution), [October 17, 2000]
Government of Hongkong v. Olalia, Jr., G.R. No. 153675, [April 19, 2007]
Government of Hongkong v. Muñoz, G.R. No. 207342, [August 16, 2016]

H. International Human Rights Law

Secretary of National Defense v. Manalo, G.R. No. 180906, [October 7, 2008]

Razon, Jr. v. Tagitis, G.R. No. 182498, [December 3, 2009]
Ang Ladlad LGBT Party v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 190582, [April 8, 2010]

I. International Humanitarian Law

Republic Act No 9851

Republic Act No. 10530
Republic Act No. 11188

J. Law of the Sea

Arigo v. Swift, G.R. No. 206510, [September 16, 2014]

Magallona v. Ermita, G.R. No. 187167, [August 16, 2011]

Optional Reading
Magallona, 1-65
Malaya & Casis, 10-18, Annex A (EO 459)

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