International Law provides a comprehensive yet student-focused approach to the subject, giving a contemporary and stimulating account of international law.

With a rigorous and critical approach supported by engaging and thought-provoking learning features, this book encourages students to engage with legal debates and controversies.

The eBook offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features and links that offer extra learning support: Find the eBook on VitalSource.

Key features

• Offers comprehensive coverage of the central issues in public international law, introducing the key areas of debate in an engaging and accessible way
• Takes a contemporary, sometimes critical approach to international law, encouraging students to engage with areas of controversy and consider how they affect the world today
• Supported by thought-provoking learning features, including theory and debate boxes, contemporary developments, case spotlights, historical background boxes, and annotated recommended reading
• Also available as an e-book with author videos, access to online resources like discussion questions and critical thinking frameworks, and accessible functionality and navigation features to offer extra learning support

New to this Edition

• Treatment of recent events including the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia; the Israel invasion of Gaza after the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023; the ongoing Yemeni conflict relating to the Houthis; governmental instability in Niger, Mali, and Sudan; and the European Union's anti-coercion instrument.
• Coverage of recent ICJ judgments and opinions of note, including Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory advisory opinion; Allegations of Violations of the Genocide Convention (Ukraine v Russia); Violations of the Genocide Convention cases (Gambia v Myanmar; South Africa v Israel); and more.
• Coverage of regional and international courts, including ITLOS (e.g., Commission of Small Island States in respect of Climate Change advisory opinion); ICC decisions (e.g., the arrest warrants against President Putin and Prime Minister Netanyahu); ECtHR judgments (e.g., Verein KlimaSeniorinnen v Switzerland); CJEU judgments (e.g., Venezuela v European Council); and the IACtHR (e.g., Habitantes de la Oroya v Peru).
• Integration of key proposals of the ILC, including work on general principles and subsidiary sources, immunity of State officials, and the effects of sea-level rise in international law.

Digital formats and resources

The third edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats: the e-book and Law Trove offer a mobile experience and convenient access along with introductory videos by the author, discussion questions, critical thinking frameworks, functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support.

Part I The Structure of International Law 
1: The history and nature of international law 
2: Sources of international law 
3: Hierarchy of norms in international law 
4: International law and municipal law 
Part II Subjects of International Law 
5: States as subjects of international law 
6: International organizations 
Part III International Law in Operation 
7: The law of treaties 
8: Jurisdiction 
9: Immunities 
10: State responsibility 
Part IV International Disputes and Responses to Breaches 
11: Diplomatic protection and issues of standing 
12: International dispute settlement and the ICJ 
13: Enforcement short of force 
14: The use of force and collective security 
Part V Specialized Regimes 
15: The law of armed conflict 
16: International human rights and refugee law 
17: International criminal law 
18: The law of the sea 
19: The protection of the environment 
20: International economic law

Gleider Hernández, Professor of Public International Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Open Universiteit Nederland

Gleider Hernández is Professor of Public International Law and Chair of the Department of International & European Law at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven). Previously, he was part-time Professor at the Open Universiteit; Associate Professor (Reader) in Public International Law at Durham University, where he was founding Deputy Director of the Global Policy Institute; and Associate Legal Officer at the International Court of Justice. He is the author of The International Court of Justice and the Judicial  Function(OUP), shortlisted for the 2014 Peter Birks Prize; President of the European Society of International Law (2023–25), having previously served as Secretary-General (2021–23); and Member of the Boards of the European Journal of International Law, Global Policy journal, and the Belgian Society of International Law.

"A modern classic that is a clear and engaging guide for those who are new to public international law as well as a valuable resource for senior scholars and practitioners." - Professor Philippa Webb, University of Oxford

"A remarkable achievement. Not a word is wasted. It is written with rigour and considerable authority. Uniquely, it manages to cater for both advanced students and those at the beginning of their studies." - Professor Phoebe Okowa, Queen Mary University of London, Member UN International Law Commission

"Deeply contextualizing international law across historical, geographical, and social contexts in an accessible and engaging way, International Law captures the imagination of both law and non-law students to understand, apply, and critically reflect on its practice." - Dr Silvia Steininger, Hertie School, Berlin

"This is an excellent book. It is pitched at just the right level for students, offering that rare combination of crystal-clear explanation and in-depth analysis of the key tenets of international law." - Professor Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne, University of Bristol Law School

"Hernández's International Law offers an accessible yet rigorous introduction to public international law. It continues to deliver a fresh approach, thoughtfully attuned to modern technological developments and critical perspectives on the field. Highly recommended." - Professor Kubo Macák, University of Exeter Law School