An Appraisal of the Rules of Treaty Interpretation in the ICJ Wall Opinion

Abstract

Gallons of ink have been spilled globally by legal pundits on such a doctrinal issue as interpretation of treaties. Opinions are however divided amongst scholars as to the aim and goal of treaty interpretation. The modern and widely accepted aim as well as the general rule of treaty interpretation has been codified under Articles 31-33 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969. The application of these provisions to deserving cases, especially by the International Court of Justice has been a subject of legal discourse among writers and opinion moulders. How well have these rules been applied? What is the significance of the application of these rules by the ICJ in the Wall Opinion? The goal of this very short treatise is to introduce the rules of treaty interpretation as enshrined under 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, their application particularly to the ICJ Wall Opinion and possible lessons therefrom.