Public International Law-I asks you to prove that international law is law — sources, subjects, responsibility and jurisdiction. Answers score when every principle is tied to an instrument (a convention, the ICJ Statute, the Vienna Conventions) or to Nepali practice. Here is the unit-wise list of the most important questions for the B.A.LL.B. 3rd Semester (New Course) paper Public International Law-I (LAW5205), in the order of the official 2025 syllabus.
Who is this for? B.A.LL.B. 3rd Semester (new 2025 course) students preparing for the LAW5205 board examination — and LL.B. students of Public International Law (LAW303). Full marks 100 (40% internal + 60% board), pass marks 50%.
Unit-wise important questions
Unit 1: Introduction
- Define international law. Explain its nature, scope and whether international law is true law. (15)
- Trace the origin and development of international law from the Peace of Westphalia to the present. (15)
- Explain the theories on the basis of international law: natural law, positivism, consent theory and the Grotian theory. (15)
- Explain the relationship between international law and municipal law. Which theory does Nepal follow in practice? (15)
- Write short notes on: (a) monism and dualism; (b) the role of the United Nations in the development of international law. (2×5)
Unit 2: Sources of International Law
- Explain the sources of international law under Article 38(1) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice. (15)
- Explain custom as a source of international law: state practice and opinio juris. (15)
- Explain the role of treaties as a source of international law and their relationship with custom. (15)
- Discuss the General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, and the draft conventions of the International Law Commission, as sources of international law. (15)
- Write short notes on: (a) general principles of law; (b) ex aequo et bono; (c) writings of publicists. (3×5)
Unit 3: International Legal Personality
- Explain the concept of international legal personality. Who are the subjects of international law? (15)
- Discuss the status of individuals and international organizations as subjects of international law. (15)
- Examine the position of insurgents, belligerents, mercenaries and terrorists in international law. (10)
- Explain the international legal personality of multinational corporations. (10)
Unit 4: Recognition and State Succession
- Define recognition. Explain its types and the theories of recognition. (15)
- Distinguish recognition of a state from recognition of a government. What are the effects of recognition and non-recognition? (15)
- Explain the concept and theories of state succession. (15)
- Discuss the legal consequences of state succession, including succession of governments and of international organizations. (15)
- Write short notes on: (a) de facto and de jure recognition; (b) succession to treaties. (2×5)
Unit 5: Nationality
- Define nationality and explain its importance in international law. (10)
- Explain the modes of acquiring and losing nationality. (15)
- Discuss the problem of statelessness and the international legal response to it, with reference to Nepal’s citizenship debate. (15)
- Explain the nationality of corporations and assets. (10)
Unit 6: Asylum and Extradition
- Define asylum. Explain its types and the rights and duties of asylum-seekers. (15)
- Explain the concept of extradition and the principle of non-extradition of political offenders. (15)
- “There is no duty to extradite in the absence of a treaty.” Discuss with reference to Nepal’s extradition practice. (10)
Unit 7: State Responsibility
- Explain the nature of state responsibility and the consequences of an internationally wrongful act. (15)
- Explain diplomatic protection of nationals and the rule of exhaustion of local remedies. (15)
- Discuss the treatment of aliens and their assets, and the contractual liability of states. (10)
Unit 8: Jurisdiction
- Explain the concept of state sovereignty and jurisdiction. What are the bases of jurisdiction? (15)
- Explain the forms of jurisdiction: territorial, personal, maritime and jurisdiction in aero-space. (15)
- Write short notes on: (a) the objective territorial principle; (b) universal jurisdiction over piracy and grave crimes. (2×5)
Unit 9: Immunities and Privileges
- Explain diplomatic immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961. (15)
- Explain consular immunities and the immunities of special missions. (15)
- Explain the immunity of foreign states and of international organizations, and the limitations on immunities. (15)
- Discuss recent trends in the law of immunities and privileges. (10)
How to answer PIL-I questions well
- Name the instrument: VCDR 1961, VCCR 1963, the ICJ Statute, the 1951 Refugee Convention, the ILC Articles on State Responsibility — a PIL answer without instruments reads as general knowledge, not law.
- Use one case per doctrine: Lotus (jurisdiction), North Sea Continental Shelf (custom), Nicaragua (custom and opinio juris), Nottebohm (nationality), Mavrommatis (diplomatic protection) — five cases cover much of this paper.
- For Nepal questions, be specific: the Treaty Act, the Extradition Act, Nepal’s ratifications, participation in UN peacekeeping and ICJ/arbitration practice are the details that lift an answer.
- Distinguish law from policy: questions on statelessness, asylum and humanitarian intervention invite critique — say what the law requires first, then what it should require.
Free resources
Start with the free Unit 1: Public International Law-I Unit 1 (free). Unit 1 of every subject is free to read on this site.