International Customs as Source of Law

Q. Write a short note on International Custom as source of law.  [2015 - 4 marks]

International Customs are the established international practices that are generally followed by the constituent nations. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the apex law enforcing body of the United Nations has accepted international customs as source of international law. 

The Statute of the ICJ, vide Chapter II Article 38, has recognized the international customs and general practices of nations as one of the court's sources of customary international law. This is applicable in the cases where there is a disagreement between member countries.