1.1 Meaning, Nature, and Source of Law of International Organization

An international organization (IO) = an association of states (or of states and other entities) created by treaty, possessing its own organs, will and personality, established to pursue common purposes by permanent cooperation. The definition's four notes: treaty- based (the constituent instrument), institutionalised (organs, staff, headquarters), voluntary- membered (sovereign equals), purpose-driven (the common interest's charter). Nature: IOs are creatures of the states (the powers are conferred, not inherent — the competence- competence question is the members', not the organisation's) yet actors in their own right once created (they act, bind their organs, and bear responsibility). Sources of their law (the exam map): (1) the constituent treaty (the constitution — UN Charter, SAARC Charter); (2) the treaties they conclude (headquarters agreements, relationship agreements); (3) their internal law (rules of procedure, staff regulations, financial regulations); (4) resolutions and decisions (binding or recommendatory by the constitutions' own terms); (5) the general rules of international law that govern them (state responsibility's mirror in the law of IO responsibility; the Reparations doctrine — 1.5); and (6) custom among members as to their practice.