The document discusses the codification of international law. It defines codification as the systematic arrangement of existing rules of law and considers it a method of both modification and progressive development. The history of codification involved international agreements in the 19th century, work by legal writers, and conferences. Codification efforts continued under the League of Nations and are now led by the United Nations International Law Commission and UNCITRAL. The merits of codification are that it brings clarity, fills gaps, and allows consistent application; however, critics argue it can make the law rigid and increase disputes around interpretation.

1. CODIFICATION OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW
Dr. Neepa Vyas
Assistant Professor
Government Law College

2. POINTS COVERED
1. Definition of Codification
2. History of Codification
3. Merits and Demerits of
Codification

3. DEFINITION
A systematic arrangement of the
rules of law already in existence.
It is also considered as
modification.
It also construed as a method of
progressive development of Law.

4. HISTORY OF CODIFICATION
• Declaration of Paris, 1856
• Codification by Writers
• Two Hague Conferences
• Codification under the League of
Nations
• Codification under the United
Nations

5. CODIFICATION UNDER THE UNITED
NATIONS
 International Law Commission
 United Nations Commission for International Trade
Law (UNCITRAL)
 General Assembly

6. CODIFICATION
 Brings in clarity and
uniformity
 Fills vacuums and
minimizes confusion
 Easily applicable
 Remains consistent
with the changing time.
 Harmful for natural
growth due to its infant
stage.
 Makes the system rigid
 Increases disputes
relating to
interpretation
 Customary laws are yet
no finalized.
Merits Demerits