International Law Practice Questions
20 free International Law practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which international body is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations?
- A International Criminal Court
- B Permanent Court of Arbitration
- C European Court of Human Rights
- D International Court of Justice
Correct answer: International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), established in 1945, is the primary judicial branch of the UN. It settles legal disputes submitted by states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs.
In international law, the term 'Jus Cogens' refers to:
- A Laws governing maritime trade
- B Rules regarding space exploration
- C Diplomatic immunity protocols
- D Peremptory, non-derogable norms
Correct answer: Peremptory, non-derogable norms
Jus Cogens refers to fundamental principles of international law that are accepted by the international community as a whole. Examples include the prohibitions against genocide, maritime piracy, and slavery.
The 'Rome Statute' is the founding treaty of which international institution?
- A World Trade Organization
- B International Labour Organization
- C International Criminal Court
- D World Health Organization
Correct answer: International Criminal Court
The Rome Statute, adopted in 1998, established the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a coastal state's 'Territorial Sea' extends up to how many nautical miles?
- A 12
- B 24
- C 100
- D 200
Correct answer: 12
Under UNCLOS, every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles from the baselines. Within this zone, the coastal state exercises full sovereignty over the sea, seabed, and airspace.
Which set of international treaties establishes the standards of international law for humanitarian treatment in war?
- A The Vienna Conventions
- B The Kyoto Protocol
- C The Geneva Conventions
- D The Treaty of Tordesillas
Correct answer: The Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions comprise four treaties and three additional protocols that establish the legal basis and framework for the conduct of armed conflict. They specifically protect people who are not taking part in the hostilities, such as civilians and prisoners of war.
The concept of 'Pacta Sunt Servanda' in international law means:
- A Agreements must be kept
- B The law of the sea is supreme
- C Nations are sovereign
- D War is the last resort
Correct answer: Agreements must be kept
Pacta Sunt Servanda is a fundamental principle of both civil and international law. It states that every treaty in force is binding upon the parties to it and must be performed by them in good faith.
Where is the headquarters of the International Court of Justice located?
- A New York, United States
- B Geneva, Switzerland
- C The Hague, Netherlands
- D Vienna, Austria
Correct answer: The Hague, Netherlands
The International Court of Justice is seated at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York City.
In international law, 'Extradition' refers to:
- A Handing a suspect to another state
- B The right to vote in foreign elections
- C The seizure of foreign assets
- D The granting of citizenship to refugees
Correct answer: Handing a suspect to another state
Extradition is a formal process by which one state surrenders an individual to another state for prosecution or punishment for crimes committed in the requesting state's jurisdiction. It is usually regulated by bilateral or multilateral treaties.
Which international body is responsible for the protection of refugees under international law?
- A UNHCR
- B UNESCO
- C UNICEF
- D UNDP
Correct answer: UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), created in 1950, is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees. It works to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge.
What is the maximum distance for an 'Exclusive Economic Zone' (EEZ) as per UNCLOS?
- A 12 nautical miles
- B 24 nautical miles
- C 200 nautical miles
- D 350 nautical miles
Correct answer: 200 nautical miles
An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea where a coastal state has sovereign rights for exploring and exploiting natural resources. It can extend up to 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea is measured.
The principle of 'Non-Refoulement' prohibits a state from:
- A Returning refugees to face persecution
- B Declaring war without notice
- C Increasing tariffs on imports
- D Testing nuclear weapons in the atmosphere
Correct answer: Returning refugees to face persecution
Non-refoulement is a fundamental principle of international law that forbids a country receiving asylum seekers from returning them to a country in which they would be in likely danger of persecution. It is a core part of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Which of the following crimes does the International Criminal Court (ICC) NOT have jurisdiction over?
- A Genocide
- B War Crimes
- C Crimes Against Humanity
- D Tax Evasion
Correct answer: Tax Evasion
The ICC's jurisdiction is limited to the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. These include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
What is the primary source of international law as defined in Article 38 of the ICJ Statute?
- A International Conventions
- B Newspaper Editorials
- C National Constitutions
- D UN General Assembly Resolutions
Correct answer: International Conventions
Article 38 of the ICJ Statute lists international conventions (treaties), international custom, and the general principles of law recognized by civilized nations as the primary sources. Judicial decisions and teachings of highly qualified publicists are considered subsidiary means.
The 'Montevideo Convention' of 1933 is significant for defining:
- A The definition of statehood
- B The rights of children
- C The rules of air travel
- D The prohibition of chemical weapons
Correct answer: The definition of statehood
The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States set out the four standard requirements for statehood in international law. A state must have a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
What is the role of the 'International Law Commission' (ILC)?
- A To investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals accused of committing war crimes
- B To encourage the progressive development and codification of international law
- C To settle boundary disputes between nations
- D To review and approve the annual United Nations budget
Correct answer: To encourage the progressive development and codification of international law
The ILC was established by the UN General Assembly in 1947 to promote the development and codification of international law. It drafts articles on topics that may then be incorporated into international treaties.
The term 'Opinio Juris' refers to:
- A The formal written opinion issued by the Chief Justice of a court
- B The belief that an action was carried out as a legal obligation
- C A loophole or ambiguous clause found within an international treaty
- D The constitutional right of a defendant to a trial by jury
Correct answer: The belief that an action was carried out as a legal obligation
Opinio juris is the subjective element of customary international law. It refers to the belief that a particular practice is performed because it is required by law, rather than out of habit or courtesy.
Which treaty prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in Earth's orbit?
- A The Outer Space Treaty
- B The Moon Agreement of 1979
- C The Antarctic Treaty
- D The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty
Correct answer: The Outer Space Treaty
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty forms the basis of international space law. It explicitly forbids states from placing nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies.
Which of the following can be a party in a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?
- A Individuals
- B Non-Governmental Organizations
- C Only States
- D Multinational Corporations
Correct answer: Only States
Under the ICJ Statute, only states can be parties in contentious cases before the Court. Individuals and organizations cannot bring cases to the ICJ; they must rely on their national governments to take up their claims.
The 'Diplomatic Inviolability' of an embassy means that:
- A It is part of the foreign country's territory
- B Agents of the host state may not enter without permission
- C The embassy does not have to pay for electricity
- D The ambassador is immune from the laws of their own country
Correct answer: Agents of the host state may not enter without permission
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the premises of a diplomatic mission are 'inviolable.' This means that local police or authorities cannot enter the embassy without the consent of the head of the mission.
In the context of the International Court of Justice, an 'Advisory Opinion' is:
- A A legally binding verdict against a state
- B A non-binding interpretation of a legal question
- C A formal recommendation for a new international treaty
- D An international warrant for a leader's arrest
Correct answer: A non-binding interpretation of a legal question
Advisory opinions are issued by the ICJ at the request of UN organs or specialized agencies. Unlike judgments in contentious cases, these opinions are not legally binding, though they carry great legal weight and moral authority.