National judiciaries are increasingly influenced by international institutions and courts. The work of these institutions is varied, from promoting peace and cooperation to providing a forum to discuss trade and security.
International Institutions
There are many…
There are many international and multi-lateral institutions. The scope of their mandate and jurisdiction varies considerably. This section describes some of the more prominent institutions that work in the fields of international law and development, including the different organs of the United…
There are different types of international legal instruments. Binding instruments, such as treaties or conventions, are signed by diplomatic representatives of participating states. They must be ratified through the domestic process of each state. Nonbinding instruments,…
International tribunals provide a venue for adjudicating certain types of international disputes, facilitating the settlement of problems requiring specialized expertise,
"The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be…
Islamic Law, commonly referred to as Shariah, governs interpersonal conduct and regulates the ritual practices of Muslims. In some countries it is also the governing law, while other countries apply Islamic law to sp
Sources
Islamic law is derived primarily from two…
There is a perception that many Muslim-majority countries have legal systems governed entirely by Islamic law (also commonly referred to as Shariah). This is the case in a small number of countries.
Classical
Countries adhering to the classical model of Islamic law either…
Many countries have an entity known as a judicial council, responsible for different aspects of judicial governance, from overseeing the judicial career to promoting professional standards and court efficiency. Recent reform initiatives have focused on ensuring that judicial councils operate…
Judges are expected to be knowledgeable about the law, familiar with court procedure, and comport themselves in a professional and respectful manner. Canons of judicial conduct codify these expectations and judicial institutes prepare judges to meet them. While most countries have a judicial…