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International Law

Research Path

International law research builds on the skills and experience developed in the study of  the Australian legal system and learning about Australian law.  However it is important to recognize it is a different system of law with different research tools and databases.  This guide is designed to help students navigate their way through the research process and focus on using resources relevant to their research topic.

A basic principle for all researchers is always to go to the most authoritative source: For international law research this may not be so easy. A suggested research path is:

  • Get an overview (encyclopaedias, dictionaries and text books)
  • Use authoritative sources  (treaties and case law, the website of the organisation that created the instrument)
  • Review documents and databases from significant international organisations
  • Consult domestic sources of International Law
  • Find high quality relevant journal articles
  • Consider cautious consulting of NGO publications
  • Newspapers are useful for coverage of contemporary issues (Thomson Reuters Westlaw (formerly Thomson Reuters Westlaw (formerly WestlawNext).