Key Differences Between International Law and National Law

1. What They Are Made Of:

   • National Law: This law is made by countries themselves. Each country has its own rules. These rules come from laws created by governments, decisions made by courts, and regulations. For example, in the United States, there are many different laws in each of the 50 states.
   • International Law: This law comes from agreements between countries. It includes treaties and usual practices that countries follow. An important document is the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which explains how countries should make and follow treaties.

2. How They Are Enforced:

   • National Law: In each country, laws are enforced by courts, police, and other government agencies. For example, in 2020 alone, over 30 million civil cases were filed in U.S. state courts.
   • International Law: There is no single place to enforce these laws. Countries must choose to follow the agreements they make. The International Criminal Court was created in 2002 to help enforce some international laws, but as of 2023, only 123 countries are part of it.

3. Who They Apply To:

   • National Law: This law affects people and organizations within a specific country.
   • International Law: This law deals with relationships between countries and other global players. It covers important issues that affect more than one country, like climate change, trade, and human rights.

4. How They Relate to Each Other:

   • In many countries, including the U.S., international law can have a special role. Sometimes, it can be enforced directly; other times, it needs to be made part of national law through new legislation.