Page:The binding force of international law; inaugural lecture in international law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Session 1910-11 (IA bindingforceofin00higgrich).pdf/15

 principles known as International Law, or the Law of Nations, is fully entitled to the name of Law, and that it is of binding force among the nations of the civilised world. It is not perfect, it is not complete, it is still in the making, but its rudimentary principles are increasingly appearing in more definite form.

What is International Law and whence are its rules derived?

International Law is not a body of rules which lawyers have evolved out of their own inner consciousness: it is not a system carefully thought out by University Professors, Bookworms, or other theorists in the quiet and seclusion of their studies. It is a living body of practical rules and principles which have gradually come into being by the custom of nations and international agreements. To the formation of these rules, Statesmen, Diplomatists, Admirals, Generals, Judges and publicists have all contributed. It is also of comparatively modern origin, for the existing state system of the world dates in effect from the end of the Middle Ages. So long as the 1–2