23 Free International Law Books [PDF]
by InfoBooks
International law books cover the rules, norms and principles that guide relations between sovereign states. Here we gathered 23 free titles in PDF that walk you through this field from foundations to specialized areas.
The collection covers public international law, humanitarian law, human rights, environmental law, criminal law and private international law. Topics range from sources and state jurisdiction to customary international law, treaties, armed conflict, and conflict-of-laws across borders.
Every book is a free, legal PDF from UN agencies, ICRC, OHCHR and academic institutions. No signup or email needed: pick your section and start reading.
Books on Public International Law
These titles cover the foundations: sources of international law, state jurisdiction, customary international law, treaties, and the role of the United Nations. Start here if you want a broad map of the field.
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Volume one of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs handbook compiles foundational instruments: the UN Charter, the Statute of the International Court of Justice, and core declarations on sovereignty, decolonization and statehood. The reference for primary sources of public international law.
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A 353-page benchbook from the American Society of International Law that walks judges through how international law operates in U.S. courts. Covers sources, jurisdiction, treaties, customary law, immunities and the use of foreign and international authorities.
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A book chapter by Marks, Rudolf, De Feyter and Schrijver on the role of international law in implementing the right to development. Examines treaty obligations, the work of UN human rights bodies, and the political tensions around a binding development convention.
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Books on International Humanitarian Law
International humanitarian law (IHL) regulates armed conflict and protects those who do not take part in hostilities. The texts below cover the Geneva Conventions, ICRC doctrine, and the law of armed conflict.
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Co-published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the ICRC, this 132-page handbook explains international humanitarian law through clear Q&A: what IHL is, when it applies, who it protects, and how parliamentarians can implement Geneva Convention obligations in national legislation.
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A specialized 360-page study by Hausler, Urban and McCorquodale on how international humanitarian and human rights law protect education during armed conflict. Covers students, teachers, school facilities and remedies, with treaty appendices and case analyses.
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Books on International Human Rights Law
These resources walk through the international human rights system, including its treaties, monitoring bodies and enforcement mechanisms. Use them to understand how rights are protected across jurisdictions.
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A 237-page handbook co-published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Explains what human rights are, how international human rights law works, the role of state sovereignty, and how parliamentarians can implement human rights obligations in national legislation.
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An OHCHR handbook that introduces United Nations staff to international human rights law. Covers the scope of human rights, state responsibility, the difference between human rights law and humanitarian law, and the main international human rights instruments.
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Books on International Environmental Law
These books map the treaties, principles and institutions that govern environmental cooperation between states. Topics span climate change, biodiversity, marine protection and pollution control.
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Course materials prepared by Professor Daniel Bodansky for the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs. Compiles the foundational treaties of international environmental law alongside Bodansky lectures on sources, principles, climate, biodiversity and watercourses.
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Books on International Criminal Law
International criminal law deals with individual criminal responsibility for the gravest crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression. These books cover doctrine, the ICC, and landmark cases.
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Course materials prepared by Judge Kevin Riordan for the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs. Compiles the foundational instruments of international criminal law: the Genocide Convention, the Convention against Torture, the Rome Statute, and the rules of procedure and evidence of the ICC.
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Practitioner training materials developed for the OSCE-ODIHR, ICTY and UNICRI project on transferring war crimes case knowledge to national jurisdictions. Covers the scope of international criminal law, general principles, courts, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
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A working paper from the Iraq Legal Education Initiative at Stanford Law School. Walks readers through the foundations of international criminal law: individual criminal responsibility, core crimes, jurisdiction of international tribunals, and the Rome Statute regime.
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Books on Private International Law
Private international law, also called conflict of laws, decides which jurisdiction applies when a legal dispute crosses borders. The books below cover contracts, family, property and judgments.
This is the full lineup of free international law books in our library. Bookmark the page if you study or research the field, since we add new titles every month.
Looking for more? Browse our full collection of Law Books in PDF.
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