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International Law: Sources of Law
Create from Seton Hall Law Guide located at: https://shlawlibrary.libguides.com/IntLaw
On this page you will learn the best sources for locating International conventions a.k.a. treaties. In this context, treaties refers to agreements between states (the primary actors in international law). International convet is used interchangeably with terms like international treaty, international agreement, compact, or contract between states. Conventions may be of a general or specific nature and between two or multiple states. Conventions between two states are called bilateral treaties; conventions between a small number of states (but more than two) are called plurilateral treaties; conventions between a large number of states are called multilateral treaties.
Locating Treaties Where the U.S. Is a Party
- Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America 1776-1949 (Bevans)U.S. Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, compiled by Charles Bevans, is a 13-volume set is considered to be the most complete collection of treaties and other agreements entered into by the United States from 1776 to 1950.
- Kavass's Guide to the United States Treaties in ForceVia Hein. 1982-2017. Published annually by William S. Hein & Co., this three-volume set is an expanded version of Treaties in Force
- Treaties in ForceVia Hein. Treaties in Force is an indexing tool for starting research on in-force treaties and agreements. Published annually by the Department of State since 1955, TIF provides a brief summary of all treaties and other international agreements, both bilateral and multilateral, which are considered to be in force for the United States as of January of the respective year. Bilateral treaties are arranged by country and grouped into subjects under each country, while multilateral treaties are arranged by subject. HeinOnline includes all previously published volumes of TIF.
- Westlaw: United States Treaties and Other International Agreements
U.S. Treaties and Other International Agreements includes American Indian treaties to which the U.S.A. is a party from 1778. - Lexis Advance: Treaties
Ratified and unratified treaties and international agreements where the United States is a party or signatory. Also includes Worldwide Tax Treaties.
Locating Treaties Where the U.S. Is NOT a Party
- Electronic Information System for International Law (ESIL)EISIL is a convenient gateway for accessing major multilateral treaties, whether or not the U.S. is a party. If you know the name of the treaty, use the Advanced Search and restrict your search to the title field. Or browse by subject
- United Nations Treaty CollectionThis series encompasses more than 100,000 multilateral and bilateral treaties registered or recorded with the U.N. since 1946, including many treaties to which the U.S. is a party. Search filters include participant (country), title (in English or French), treaty type (multilateral or bilateral), registration number, and U.N.T.S. volume number, among many others.
Suggested Secondary Sources
Treaties and other International Agreements: the Role of the United States Senate: a Study by Also in 3rd Fl. Microforms Y 4.F 76/2:S.PRT.106-71 /FICHE- Treaties and Subsequent Practice by ISBN: 0191758329
