International law can refer to three things. These are:

* public international law
* private international law or conflict of laws
* the law of supranational organizations.

In a globalising economy, law is globalising too. Law internationally, or to be literal, law between nations plays an increasingly important part in our lives. The goods we buy, the services we consume, the work that we do are ever more integrated with people far across the planet. So to create a level playing field, law has a vital role to play.

Public international law

Public international law concerns the relationships between sovereign nations. The United Nations, founded under the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most important international organisation. It was established after the failure of the Versailles Treaty and World War II. Other international agreements, like the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war and international bodies such as the International Labour Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, or the International Monetary Fund also form a growing part of public international law.

Conflict of laws

Conflict of laws, or "private international law" in civil law jurisdictions, is less international than national law. It concerns which jurisdiction a legal dispute between private parties should be heard. Today businesses are increasingly capable of shifting capital and labour supply chains across borders, as well as trading with overseas businesses. This increases the number of disputes taking place outside of a unified legal framework with enforceable, standard practices. Increasing numbers of businesses use commercial arbitration under the New York Convention 1958.

Original Source: Wikipedia