Law4u - Made in India

Does International Law automatically become part of Indian law?

19-May-2025
International Law

Answer By law4u team

No, international law does not automatically become a part of Indian law. For international law to have effect in India, it must be incorporated into domestic law through the process of legislation or judicial recognition. Here's how international law interacts with Indian law: 1. Monism vs Dualism: - Monism suggests that international law and domestic law form a unified system, meaning international law automatically becomes part of domestic law. - Dualism, which is followed by India, maintains that international law and domestic law are separate systems. International law does not automatically become part of Indian law unless the Indian Parliament enacts laws to implement the provisions of international agreements. 2. Article 51 of the Indian Constitution: - Article 51(c) of the Constitution of India directs the state to "endeavor to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations." While this provision indicates that India should respect international law, it does not automatically incorporate international treaties into Indian law. 3. Treaties and International Agreements: - When India enters into an international treaty or agreement, such a treaty does not have the force of law in India unless the Indian Parliament passes a law to implement its provisions. The Treaty or Agreement alone does not automatically become enforceable. - For example, if India signs an international treaty, it must pass domestic legislation to make it effective within the country. 4. Judicial Recognition: - While international law may not automatically become Indian law, Indian courts do refer to international treaties and customary international law when interpreting the Constitution or statutes. Courts have often looked at international law principles to interpret domestic law, especially in cases related to human rights. 5. Exceptions: - In certain cases, international law can be applied directly by the courts if it does not contradict Indian law. For example, customary international law may sometimes be used if it does not conflict with Indian statutes. In summary, international law does not automatically become part of Indian law. It requires domestic legislation or judicial recognition to be enforceable within the country.

Answer By Anik

Dear Client, The international laws do not automatically join the laws of India. India applies a dualist system and therefore international agreements only become enforceable once matched by domestic laws. The Supreme Court decided in Gramophone Company of India Ltd. v. Birendra Bahadur Pandey (1984) that legislation is needed before international law forms part of Indian law. Indian courts have, in select cases, taken a different or more careful, approach. According to the judiciary, customary international law CIL—established rules formed through a state’s practice—is treated as part of the domestic law if it does not go against already established laws. As an illustration, in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. According to the Supreme Court, rules from international environmental law may be applied to domestic law unless there is otherwise conflicting legislation in India. In addition, the Indian Constitution includes ways to bring international law into its system. Parliament is empowered by Article 253 to pass laws that will carry out any treaty, agreement or convention between the country and another nation. Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy recommends the State take steps to show regard for international law and the obligations outlined in treaties. Overall, Indian law isn’t connected to international law right away, but there are legal and judicial grounds for including it if its positions are similar to Indian law and it isn’t in conflict with other laws. I hope this answer helps. In case of future queries please feel free to contact us. Thank you.

Answer By Enju Rohan Kumar

hello we have filed the case in civil procedure code. but after hearing case the judgement comes as criminal order

International Law Verified Advocates

Get expert legal advice instantly.

Advocate Avtar Singh

Advocate Avtar Singh

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Banking & Finance, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Court Marriage, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, GST, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Insurance, International Law, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Media and Entertainment, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, NCLT, Patent, Property, Recovery, RERA, Startup, Supreme Court, Tax, Trademark & Copyright

Get Advice
Advocate Ujjwal Kant

Advocate Ujjwal Kant

Anticipatory Bail,Arbitration,Armed Forces Tribunal,Bankruptcy & Insolvency,Banking & Finance,Breach of Contract,Cheque Bounce,Child Custody,Civil,Consumer Court,Corporate,Court Marriage,Customs & Central Excise,Criminal,Cyber Crime,Divorce,Documentation,GST,Domestic Violence,Family,High Court,Immigration,Insurance,International Law,Labour & Service,Landlord & Tenant,Media and Entertainment,Medical Negligence,Motor Accident,Muslim Law,NCLT,Patent,Property,R.T.I,Recovery,RERA,Startup,Succession Certificate,Supreme Court,Tax,Trademark & Copyright,Wills Trusts,Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Prabhat Chaudhary

Advocate Prabhat Chaudhary

High Court, Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Armed Forces Tribunal, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Court Marriage, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, Divorce, Documentation, Cyber Crime, Domestic Violence, Family, Immigration, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, Patent, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Media and Entertainment, Medical Negligence, Succession Certificate, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Supreme Court, Tax, Revenue, Insurance, International Law, Landlord & Tenant, Labour & Service, Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, GST, NCLT, RERA, Startup

Get Advice
Advocate Lokesh Kumar

Advocate Lokesh Kumar

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Armed Forces Tribunal, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Banking & Finance, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Court Marriage, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, GST, Domestic Violence, High Court, Immigration, Insurance, International Law, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Media and Entertainment, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, NCLT, Patent, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, RERA, Startup, Succession Certificate, Supreme Court, Tax, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Revenue, Family

Get Advice
Advocate Rajat Prasad

Advocate Rajat Prasad

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Consumer Court, Corporate, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Domestic Violence, High Court, Insurance, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Media and Entertainment, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, R.T.I, Startup, Supreme Court, Trademark & Copyright, Documentation, Armed Forces Tribunal, Wills Trusts, Property, Tax, Immigration, Divorce, International Law, Patent, Recovery, Civil, Banking & Finance, GST

Get Advice
Advocate Rahul Gautam

Advocate Rahul Gautam

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Armed Forces Tribunal, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Banking & Finance, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Court Marriage, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, GST, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Immigration, Labour & Service, International Law, Insurance, Landlord & Tenant, Media and Entertainment, Motor Accident, Medical Negligence, Muslim Law, NCLT, Patent, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, RERA, Succession Certificate, Supreme Court, Tax, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Startup, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Hirdesh Kumar

Advocate Hirdesh Kumar

Anticipatory Bail,Arbitration,Armed Forces Tribunal,Bankruptcy & Insolvency,Banking & Finance,Breach of Contract,Cheque Bounce,Child Custody,Civil,Consumer Court,Corporate,Court Marriage,Customs & Central Excise,Criminal,Cyber Crime,Divorce,Documentation,GST,Domestic Violence,Family,High Court,Immigration,Insurance,International Law,Labour & Service,Landlord & Tenant,Media and Entertainment,Medical Negligence,Motor Accident,Muslim Law,NCLT,Patent,Property,R.T.I,Recovery,RERA,Startup,Succession Certificate,Supreme Court,Tax,Trademark & Copyright,Wills Trusts,Revenue,

Get Advice
Advocate C Jessy

Advocate C Jessy

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Armed Forces Tribunal, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Court Marriage, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, GST, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Immigration, Insurance, International Law, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Media and Entertainment, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, NCLT, Patent, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, RERA, Startup, Succession Certificate, Tax, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Revenue, Supreme Court, Banking & Finance

Get Advice
Advocate Mohamed Dhurabudeen

Advocate Mohamed Dhurabudeen

Breach of Contract, Anticipatory Bail, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Criminal, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Insurance, Immigration, International Law, Landlord & Tenant, Labour & Service, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, NCLT, Property, Revenue, Wills Trusts, Succession Certificate

Get Advice
Advocate Aditya Kumar Agnihotri

Advocate Aditya Kumar Agnihotri

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Armed Forces Tribunal, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Banking & Finance, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Court Marriage, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, GST, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Immigration, Insurance, International Law, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Media and Entertainment, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, NCLT, Patent, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, RERA, Startup, Succession Certificate, Supreme Court, Tax, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice

International Law Related Questions

Discover clear and detailed answers to common questions about Breach of Contract. Learn about procedures and more in straightforward language.