Introduction to International, Foreign & Comparative Law Research

1. Introduction to International, Foreign & Comparative Law Research • Public International Law • Treaty Search • Human Rights Search • International Trade Law • WTO • CISG • Regional Organizations • European Union as an example • Foreign Law Research • Common Law v. Civil Law • European Countries • Comparative Law Research International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

2. Public International Law Sources Primary and Secondary Sources • International Treaties • International Customary Laws • The general principles of law recognized by civilized nations • Judicial decisions, teachings of most highly qualified scholars (persuasive) International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

3. Treaty Search • Treaties are agreements between or among sovereign States. • Treaties have other names: agreements, covenants, conventions, charters, protocols, declarations, memoranda of understanding, modus vivendi and exchange of notes. • Bilateral and Multilateral Treaties • Self executing v. Non-self executing • Trade treaties (self executing) • Human Rights (non-self executing) • Executive agreements (U.S.). International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

4. Treaty Search Process • Information on signatories, ratifications, and reservations • Example: Kyoto Treaty • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 6 (5) • 5. Sentence of death shall not be imposed for crimes committed by persons below eighteen years of age and shall not be carried out on pregnant women. • Legislative History • Judicial Interpretations • Effective Date, Validity International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

5. Finding treaties to which U.S. is a party Statutes At Large U.S.T. (KZ235.3.U55) official 20 yr 1945 1950 1778 9 yr Present Bevans (with an index)(KZ236 1776b ) T.I.A.S. (KZ235.32 .U54) U.S.T.: United States Treaties and Other International Agreements T.I.A.S.: Treaties and Other International Acts Series Bevans: Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

6. Finding treaties to which U.S. is a party Hein’s UST Current Services (1990-date) microfiche Consolidated Treaties & Int’l Agreements (1990-date) print Heinonline Treaty Library ILM (1962-date) in print Statutes At Large U.S.T. (KZ235.3.U55) official 20 yr 1945 1950 1778 9 yr Present Bevans (with an index)(KZ236 1776b ) T.I.A.S. (KZ235.32 .U54) U.S.T.: United States Treaties and Other International Agreements T.I.A.S.: Treaties and Other International Acts Series Bevans: Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

7. Sources for Treaty Search • UST, TIAS, Bevans, Statutes At Large • Westlaw (USTREATIES) • LexisNexis (USTRTY) • International Law Materials (ILM) (Selected Treaties) • USCA and USCS (a few important treaties) • Bevans: Treaties and Other International Agreement of the U.S. of America, 1776-1949 • Websites • UN Texts of Recently Deposited Multilateral Treaties • UN Treaty Collection (Law Library Subscription) • State Dept. Treaty in Force • Thomas (Treaties Section) • Hein online (Law Library Subscription) International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

8. Indexes • State Dept. Treaty in Force (Annually) • Also in Print (Reference) • Hein on Line • Commercial indexes: • Kavass: Guide to the United States Treaties in Force (Hein on Line) • In print: Kavass, Current Treaty Index-United States Treaty Index Consolidation (KZ 235.U54 C.2) • UN Treaty Series Database • Westlaw and Lexis (Boolean Search) International & Foreign Law Search, Liu

9. Verification and Updating State Dept. Treaty in Force State Dept. Treaty Actions UN Treaty Collection (Status Search, signatory, ratification, reservation etc.) International & Foreign Law Search, Liu