International Public and International Private Law in decisions of international courts of justice

Abstract

International Public Law and International Private Law are two different systems of law. Interaction between them is traced in decisions of the two authoritative international courts of justice: the Permanent Court of International Justice and the International Court of Justice. Four most eminent situations of the international Courts turning to the private law are marked. First, when a lacuna in public International Law is found which can be filled by turning to the private law; second, the parties request that the court interprets a private law treaty before deciding a public law matter; third, public law rights and obligations of the parties stem from the domestic legislation of a state regulating private law relation; fourth, the Court is requested to determine, if the exercise by a state of its domestic legislation violates rules of International Public Law.