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Indian Journal of Law and Human Behavior
Volume 6 Number 2 / July – December 2020
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijlhb.2454.7107.6220.8
Review Article
Relation and Implementation of Provisions of International Law in
Municipal Law of India: Role of Indian Parliament and Judiciary
Abstract
Different countries follow different Schools for Application of
International Law, while some follow the Monistic approach by which
judiciary can apply the International Treaties itself, which make them
self-executing treaties. India follows the Dualistic School under which
the International Treaties doesn’t automatically become part of the legal
system even after being ratified by the executive head of the country.
Rather they need to be incorporated in the legal system by enactment of
an act in the legislation by the Parliament wherever it is necessary only
then it can be applied by the Indian courts.
Although Indian Judiciary is not empowered by the constitution
to make legislations still it has huge hands to interpret Indian
obligations under the International Law into Municipal Law of the
Land by pronouncing it in its decisions whenever issues concerning the
International Law arise in any case. A pro-active role is played by India
Judiciary in implementation of International Law in India and especially
when the matters are related to environment or about the Human Rights
of the people. This paper with the help of constitutional provisions
followed in India examines its practices in relation of International Law
and Customary law with the role of judiciary.
Keywords: Monistic approach; Dualistic School; Ratified; Pro-active
role; Municipal Law; Customary Law.
Author Affiliation
Assistant Professor, Department of
Law, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar
University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
226025, India.
Corresponding Author
Rajeev Kumar Singh, Assistant
Professor, Department of Law, Babasaheb
Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh 226025, India.
E-mail: singh.rajeev264@gmail.com
Rajeev Kumar Singh
Introduction
Entering into international treaties and agreements
is one of the attributes of State sovereignty.
1
Treaties
are contracts between nations. As the provisions
of international law, they put obligations which
international law requires that the parties to comply
at municipal level as well as international level.
2
While International law is applied in the relations
of the States and to other subjects of International
law or Municipal law is applied within a State to the
individuals and corporate entities. Prima facie there
is hardly any relationship between the two systems
as each is designed to operate in its own sphere
and they are applied differently to their subjects by
different courts. When there is a conict between
the two systems, a court is faced with the difculty
of arriving at a decision. Therefore the process of
enforcement of International law at Municipal level
is diverse in different countries. Moreover a very
large part of modern International law is directly
concerned with the activities of individuals who
come under the jurisdiction of Municipal law.
India follows the dualist theory for the
implementation of international law at domestic
level.
3
International treaties do not automatically
become part of national law in India.
4
It, therefore,
requires the legislation to be made by the Parliament
for the implementation of international law in India.
It’s been a matter of debate for the implementation
of international laws in our country after it has
gain inuence in our day to day life. While some
pISSN: 2454-7107, eISSN: 2455-4189
How to cite this article:
Rajeev Kumar Singh / Relation and Implementation of Provisions of International Law in Municipal Law of India: Role of Indian
Parliament and Judiciar. Indian J Law Hum Behav 2020;6(2):79–86.