ABSTRACT
Disputes between states arising from claims and counter-claims concerning a matter of fact, law and policy are an inevitable part of international relations and have frequently led to armed conflict. The issue of dispute settlement between states1 is the area which needs the most careful attention in order to understand the nature of international law properly, because it is the linchpin upon which the operation of all the other principles and rules rests, including the central area of state responsibility. Some more, deeper consideration of the matter is therefore required.
