In this book, Cheng aims to inquire into the practical application of the general principles of law by international courts and tribunals.

International lawyers usually disregard the vital functions that general principles of law may play in the decisions of international courts and tribunals. As far as international criminal law is concerned, general principles of law may be crucial to the outcome of an international trial, inter alia because the conviction of an accused in respect of a particular charge may depend on the existence of a given defence under this source. This volume examines the role that general principles of law have played in the decisions of international criminal courts and tribunals. In particular, it analyses their alleged ‘subsidiary’ nature, their process of determination, and their transposition from national legal systems into international law. It concludes that general principles of law have played a significant role in the decisions of international criminal courts and tribunals, not only by filling legal gaps, but also by being a fundamental means for the interpretation of legal rules and the enhancement of legal reasoning.

Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice defines "international law" to include not only "custom" and "convention" between States but also "the general principles of law recognized by civilized nations" within their municipal legal systems. In 1953, Bin Cheng wrote his seminal book on general principles, identifying core legal principles common to various domestic legal systems across the globe. This monograph summarizes and analyzes the general principles of law and norms of international due process, with a particular focus on developments since Cheng's writing. The aim is to collect and distill these principles and norms in a single volume as a practical resource for international law jurists, advocates, and scholars. The information contained in this book holds considerable importance given the growth of inter-state intercourse resulting in the increased use of general principles over the past 60 years. General principles can serve as rules of decision, whether in interpreting a treaty or contract, determining causation, or ascertaining unjust enrichment. They also include a core set of procedural requirements that should be followed in any adjudicative system, such as the right to impartiality and the prohibition on fraud. Although the general principles are, by definition, basic and even rudimentary, they hold vital importance for the rule of law in international relations. They are meant not to define a rule of law, but rather the rule of law.

General Principles and the Coherence of International Law offers a comprehensive analysis of general principles of law, assessing their role in guaranteeing the coherence of the international legal system.

When war is being waged, man is inclined to ask himself whether only force is governing the relations between States. War, it is argued, rests on a fact, not on law, and so the existence of international law, asa body of rules applicable to the relations between States or to the relations between States and international institutions, is called into question. Is international law-both the law of peace and of war-really based on general principles of law, such as domestic law, or is it but a conception of the spirit? The problem of the significance of general principles in international law has already been examined bi; many authors, especially in relation to article 38 {sect} 3 of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice, which Court is to apply, apart from international conventions and custom, "the general principles of law recognized bij civilized nations." The purpose of this study was to construct a new method of inquiry into the general principles, upon which international law is based. International law is unwritten law. Its positive rules must be sought in treaty texts, diplomatic correspondence, or decisions of interna tional tribunals. The latter material will be especially used in this study, so as to avoid data of a rather political and subjective nature. Moreover, the international judge or arbitrator is mostly asked to 1 apply general rules of international law.