ABSTRACT
Public International Law (sometimes known as the Law of Nations ) is that system of law which is primarily concerned with the relations between states. Although the full title of the subject is ‘Public International Law’ many today simply refer to the discipline as ‘International Law’; however such an abbreviated title can lead to confusion with the related but distinct subject of Private International Law. It is widely accepted that Public International Law has grown steadily both in volume and importance since the 16th century. At the beginning of the 20th century it could be confidently asserted by one leading authority1 that Public International Law was concerned only with the relations between states; however it is accepted today that the subject extends to rights and duties pertaining to international organisations,2 companies3 and individuals.4 Nevertheless many of these developments are of comparatively recent origin so that one can still safely assert that Public International Law is primarily concerned with the relations between states.
