National law vs international law - An animated explainer

According to the principle of sovereignty, each country holds legal authority within its borders, suggesting international law cannot intervene. However, some view international law as an ethical guide for states.

Some countries, like the Netherlands, adopt a 'monist' approach, considering international and national law as a single, unified system. This is convenient as many international courts are located there.

Other countries, referred to as 'dualist', believe that national and international legal systems are entirely separate.

International law is a network of agreements that countries generally follow to maintain a smooth global system.

A problem arises when a country's national law, for example on human rights, differs from international law. This raises the question of which law applies when a crime occurs.