International Legal Instrument: Concept, Characteristics, and Formalization Features

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The paper examines the historical development of international law, starting from the Middle Ages and ending with modern times. The author discusses the origins of international treaties, which became one of the first forms of international legal instruments regulating trade, diplomatic, and other relations between countries. The influence of the Church on international relations in the Middle Ages is noted, as well as the emergence of the need for a scientific basis for regulating relations in the context of the Age of Discovery. Special attention is given to the contribution of the prominent Dutch jurist H. Grotius, who formulated the basic principles of international law in his treatise «The Law of War and Peace». An important stage in the development of international law is indicated as the Congress of Vienna in 1795, where agreements were concluded, setting standards for conducting war and peace among states. Further discussed are the European congresses of the 19th century, which contributed to the conclusion of agreements and the regulation of territorial issues. The paper also analyzes the role of the League of Nations and the United Nations in the development of international law after the world wars, their contribution to the conclusion of international conventions and agreements. It is noted that although the concept of international law developed according to different historical stages, it is difficult to identify individual authors or founders, as many acts emerged as a result of collective efforts of representatives of various countries to ensure stability and peace in international relations. The author emphasizes that over time, the formality and complexity of international law have increased, and modern international legal instruments cover various issues such as human rights, international humanitarian law, environmental law, etc. The possible consequences of the absence of clear forms of international treaties and agreements are analyzed, such as legal uncertainty, the risk of non-compliance with agreements, conflicts, and discrepancies in the interpretation of rules. The overall conclusion of the paper is that the development of international law has come a long way from early treaties and agreements to modern complex international legal instruments. The existence of clear and standardized forms of international legal instruments is an important condition for ensuring stability, trust, and effectiveness in international relations between states and subjects of international law. Key words: international law, international treaties, and international relations.