Question 1
How can the structure of the international society be displayed?
a) The structure of the international society follows the vertical model of the domestic legal orders
b) International society consists of a constellation of sovereign States and other international
organizations, which are dispersed in a rather horizontal order of authority
c) International society is so anarchical that there is no order of authority, neither vertical nor
horizontal
d) The structure of the international society resembles the structure of the most powerful nations in
the world
Question 2
Is there any hierarchy or priority among States under international law?
a) Yes, the States that were the founding members of the United Nations are vested with more
powers and authority
b) Yes, the Permanent Five Members of the UN Security Council (UK, USA, France, Russia, China) are
in a superior position than the other States
c) No, all States are considered equal as sovereign States (the principle of sovereign equality,
enshrined in article 2, para 1 UN Charter)
d) Whether there will be any hierarchy among States is a matter of each international organization to
decide
Question 3
What is the 'Lotus principle'?
a) The so-called Lotus principle is that 'restrictions upon the independence of States cannot
therefore be presumed', or, as it has been construed, 'whatever is not prohibited is permitted in
international law'
b) The so-called Lotus principle is that States are free to choose the Court that they will submit their
disputes
c) The so-called Lotus principle is that States are not prohibited to assert their enforcement
jurisdiction on the high seas
d) The so-called Lotus principle is that customary law derives from the combination of State practice
and opinio juris
Question 4
What is the problem of 'fragmentation' of international law?
a) Fragmentation of international law concerns the possibility of different legal regimes apply the
same rules of international law
b) It is possible for several legal regimes (ie foreign investment law and human rights law) to exist
and develop in isolation of each other, ultimately culminating in the production of divergent rules
of international law
c) Fragmentation is when States assume different interpretations of the same rule of international law
d) Fragmentation is when States disagree to abide by a certain rule of international law
Question 5
Is there any priority among international courts and tribunals?
a) According to the lis pendens rule, the court or the tribunal that seizes first the dispute has exclusive
jurisdiction to adjudicate it
b) The International Court of Justice has by definition priority over any other court or tribunal
c) Since there is no lis pendens rule in international law and all depends on the consent of the
parties to a dispute, there is no priority or hierarchy among international courts and tribunals
d) Regional or special courts have priority over all others in line of the principle of lex specialis
Question 6
What is the major difference between naturalism and positivism?
a) On the one hand, naturalism is based on a set of rules that are of universal and objective scope
and on the other hand, positivism is based on a structured and coherent legal system that is created
by States in light of their interests and desires
b) While naturalism serves only the theory human rights law, positivism has a wider and more general
scope
c) Naturalism concerns the underpinning values of the international society, while positivism the
international rules as such
d) Naturalism is a school of thought advocated outside of Europe, while positivism is Euro-centric
theory
Question 7
What is jus cogens?
a) They are peremptory norms of international law, from which no derogations are allowed and
which can never be altered even with the consent of the States
b) They are rules of international law that are laid down in multilateral treaties with a wide
participation
c) They are the decisions of the UN Security Council
d) They are the rules of international law on which the ICJ founds its decisions
Question 8
Which rule of jus cogens was the first to be accepted explicitly as such by the ICJ?
a) The prohibition of the use of force
b) The prohibition of torture
c) The prohibition of genocide
d) The principle of self-determination
Question 9
Are the peremptory norms of international law the only norms that set out obligations erga omnes?
a) Yes
b) No, acts of international organizations also set out such obligations
c) No, decisions of international courts also set out such obligations
d) No, even though all peremptory norms set out obligations erga omnes, the latter may also spring
from treaties regulating objective regimes or unilateral acts
Question 10
Are there any limits to the application of article 103 of the UN Charter?
a) No, there are no limits to article 103
b) Yes, Article 103 cannot trump multilateral treaties
c) Yes, article 103 of the UN Charter cannot trump jus cogens norms
d) Yes, when a case is submitted to the ICJ, article 103 ceases to have any effect
