Multiple Choice Questions on Public International Law- Part I
1. Which of the following is NOT listed as a principal source of international law under Article 38 of the ICJ Statute?
A) Treaties and conventions
B) Customary international law
C) General principles of law
D) Resolutions of the UN General Assembly
B) Customary international law
C) General principles of law
D) Resolutions of the UN General Assembly
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: UNGA resolutions are not considered a primary source under Article 38; they may reflect political consensus but are not binding legal sources.
Explanation: UNGA resolutions are not considered a primary source under Article 38; they may reflect political consensus but are not binding legal sources.
2. Under the Montevideo Convention (1933), which of the following is NOT a criterion for statehood?
A) A permanent population
B) A defined territory
C) A stable economy
D) A government and capacity to enter relations with other states
B) A defined territory
C) A stable economy
D) A government and capacity to enter relations with other states
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A stable economy is not a requirement; the core criteria are population, territory, government, and international capacity.
Explanation: A stable economy is not a requirement; the core criteria are population, territory, government, and international capacity.
3. According to the “declaratory” theory of recognition, recognition of a state:
A) Is required to create the state’s legal existence
B) Has no legal effect whatsoever
C) Merely acknowledges a state’s already-existing legal status once criteria are met
D) Must be unanimous among all other states to be valid
B) Has no legal effect whatsoever
C) Merely acknowledges a state’s already-existing legal status once criteria are met
D) Must be unanimous among all other states to be valid
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The declaratory theory views recognition as a political acknowledgment, not a legal necessity for statehood.
Explanation: The declaratory theory views recognition as a political acknowledgment, not a legal necessity for statehood.
4. Which of the following crimes is typically subject to universal jurisdiction?
A) Money laundering
B) Genocide
C) Traffic violations committed abroad
D) Copyright infringement
B) Genocide
C) Traffic violations committed abroad
D) Copyright infringement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Genocide is a core international crime subject to universal jurisdiction due to its gravity and impact on humanity.
Explanation: Genocide is a core international crime subject to universal jurisdiction due to its gravity and impact on humanity.
5. Under the restrictive doctrine of state immunity, which act is NOT protected by immunity?
A) Acts of a sovereign nature
B) Governmental decisions
C) Signing a commercial contract with a private firm
D) Legislative functions
B) Governmental decisions
C) Signing a commercial contract with a private firm
D) Legislative functions
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Commercial acts (jure gestionis) are not immune under the restrictive theory; only sovereign acts (jure imperii) are.
Explanation: Commercial acts (jure gestionis) are not immune under the restrictive theory; only sovereign acts (jure imperii) are.
6. A reservation to a treaty is NOT allowed if:
A) The treaty permits all reservations
B) The reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the treaty
C) The reservation concerns procedural obligations
D) The reservation is communicated to other parties
B) The reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the treaty
C) The reservation concerns procedural obligations
D) The reservation is communicated to other parties
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A reservation that undermines the treaty’s core purpose is prohibited, regardless of formalities.
Explanation: A reservation that undermines the treaty’s core purpose is prohibited, regardless of formalities.
7. What is the legal effect of a treaty that conflicts with a jus cogens norm?
A) It is void
B) It remains valid until amended
C) It is voidable
D) It is suspended
B) It remains valid until amended
C) It is voidable
D) It is suspended
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Treaties conflicting with peremptory norms of international law are void ab initio and without legal effect.
Explanation: Treaties conflicting with peremptory norms of international law are void ab initio and without legal effect.
8. Which of the following is NOT required for state responsibility to arise?
A) Attribution of conduct to the state
B) Breach of an international obligation
C) Intent to violate international law
D) Conduct by a state organ
B) Breach of an international obligation
C) Intent to violate international law
D) Conduct by a state organ
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: State responsibility is objective; intent is not a necessary element.
Explanation: State responsibility is objective; intent is not a necessary element.
9. An international organization’s treaty-making capacity depends on:
A) Approval from the host country
B) Its own founding documents and rules
C) Consent from the UN General Assembly
D) Universal customary practice
B) Its own founding documents and rules
C) Consent from the UN General Assembly
D) Universal customary practice
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The organization’s own charter or rules determine its competence to enter into treaties.
Explanation: The organization’s own charter or rules determine its competence to enter into treaties.
10. Which right under the ICCPR is non-derogable even during emergencies?
A) Freedom of expression
B) Freedom from torture
C) Freedom of assembly
D) Right to join a union
B) Freedom from torture
C) Freedom of assembly
D) Right to join a union
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The right to be free from torture is absolute and cannot be suspended under any circumstances.
Explanation: The right to be free from torture is absolute and cannot be suspended under any circumstances.
For More Questions on CLAT PG, click here!
Subscribe for updates
Join 10,000+ subscribers.
RU
Ruchika Mohapatra
Contributing author
Have a doubt about this?Ask Doubts
