Standing in International Law

International law recognises the concept of standing as the legal basis for individuals, entities, or states to bring a claim or seek redress before international courts or tribunals. Standing refers to the legal interest or capacity that a party must have in order to initiate legal proceedings and be heard on a particular matter.

In the context of international law, standing helps ensure that only those with a legitimate interest or legal right can access international judicial mechanisms and participate in the resolution of disputes. It establishes the parameters for who can bring a case and seek remedies in international fora.

The requirements for standing in international law can vary depending on the specific legal framework or court involved. Generally, standing may be granted to the following entities:

States: Sovereign states are primary subjects of international law and generally have standing to bring claims against other states before international courts or tribunals. This includes cases related to territorial disputes, human rights violations, or breaches of international treaties.

International organisations: Certain international organisations, such as the United Nations, have standing to initiate legal proceedings or bring claims on behalf of their member states or on matters falling within their mandate. They can bring cases before international courts or tribunals or intervene in ongoing proceedings.

Individuals: In some cases, international law allows individuals to have standing before international courts or tribunals. This is often limited to specific circumstances, such as human rights violations, where individuals can bring claims against states or seek remedies for breaches of their fundamental rights.

Non-state actors: Non-state entities, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), may be granted standing in certain instances, particularly in the field of human rights. They can bring cases or intervene in proceedings before international bodies to advocate for the protection of rights or raise awareness about specific issues.

The criteria for standing can vary among different international courts, tribunals, or treaty bodies. Each institution may have its own rules and requirements to determine whether a party has the necessary standing to bring a claim or participate in legal proceedings.

Standing in international law ensures that parties with a legitimate interest and legal rights can access international judicial mechanisms and contribute to the development and enforcement of international legal norms. It helps maintain the integrity of the international legal system and ensures that relevant actors have the opportunity to seek justice and resolution of disputes at the international level.
Back to blog
UOLLB SQE Turbocharge

UOLLB SQE Turbocharge

Get ready for the SQE1 with high-performance SQE Study Guides developed by UOLLB and published by UOL Press to revolutionise your study method and exam strategy.

Turbocharge SQE Performance Here

UOL Case Bank

Upon joining, you become a valuable UOL student and gain instant access to over 2,100 essential case summaries. UOL Case Bank is constantly expanding. Speed up your revision with us now.

Subscribe Now

Where are our students from?

Council of Europe
Crown Prosecution Service
Baker Mckenzie 
Yale University
University of Chicago
Columbia University
New York University
University of Michigan 
INSEAD
University of London
University College London (UCL)
London School of Economics (LSE)
King’s College London (KCL)
Royal Holloway, University of London 
Birkbeck, University of London
SOAS, University of London
University of Manchester
University of Zurich
University of York
Brandeis University
University of Exeter
University of Sheffield
Boston University
University of Washington
University of Leeds
University of Law
University of Kent
University of Hull
Queen’s University Belfast
Toronto Metropolitan University
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University of Buckingham
ESSEC Business School

  • Criminal Practice

    Diagrams and Charts

    Our carefully designed diagrams and charts will guide you through complex legal issues.

  • Criminal Law

    Clear and Succinct Definitions

    Key concepts are concisely defined to help you understand legal topics quickly.

  • Property Law

    Statutory Provisions

    Statutory provisions are provided side by side with legal concepts to help you swiftly locate the relevant legislation.

  • Public Law

    Case Summaries

    We have summarised important cases for you so that you don't need to read long and boring cases.

  • Evidence

    Rules and Exceptions

    Rules and exceptions are clearly listed so that you know when a rule applies and when it doesn't.

  • Company Law

    Terminology

    Legal terms and key concepts are explained at the beginning of each chapter to help you learn efficiently.

  • Case Law

    Case law is provided side by side with legal concepts so that you know how legal principles and precedents were established.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Law Essay Guide

    You will learn essential law exam skills and essay writing techniques that are not taught in class.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Problem Question Guide

    We will show you how to answer problem questions step by step to achieve first-class results.

  • Conflict of Laws

    Structured Explanations

    Complex legal concepts are broken down into concise and digestible bullet point explanations.

  • Legal System and Method

    Legal Research

    You will learn legal research techniques with our study guide and become a proficient legal researcher.

  • Jurisprudence and Legal Theory

    Exam-focused

    All essential concepts, principles, and case law are included so that you can answer exam questions quickly.