The Systemic Function of General Principles
From LCIL International Law Centre Podcast by LCIL, University of Cambridge
February 9, 2026 · 34 min
About this episode
The lecture explores the systemic function of general principles in international law.
Speakers: Prof Mads Andenas & Prof Johann Ruben Leiss, University of Oslo Lecture summary: The lecture explores the systemic function of general principles in international law in light of the ongoing work of the ILC on general principles of law and recent practice of international courts and tribunals, such as the Climate Change Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice from 2025. In its first part, the lecture examines the ILC’s approach to the systemic function of general principles and comments of states on the ILC’s work. In its second and third part, the lecture discusses the two main features of the systemic function of general principles, namely their contribution to inter-norm and inter-systemic coherence in international law. All general principles potentially fulfil a systemic function by their gap-filling role and inter-systemic communication through Article 38(1)(c) ICJ Statute. Several general principles have a systemic pull in inter-norm contexts as interpretative guidelines and inter-norm harmonisers and coordinators. In the relationship between different (sub)orders of international law (including European law and national legal orders applying…
People in this episode
Guests: Prof Mads Andenas, Prof Johann Ruben Leiss
Topics covered
- international law
- general principles
- ILC
- inter-systemic coherence
- climate change
Keywords
- systemic function
- general principles
- inter-norm coherence
- ICJ Statute
- Climate Change Advisory Opinion
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Systemic Function of General Principles
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