Good Faith in International Law

Abstract

-As a 'general principle', good faith forms part of the sources of international law. Still not widely examined in relation to rights and obligations, the aim here is to demonstrate the specific characteristics of the principle. In general, international law rules such as pacta sunt servanda, abuse of rights, estoppel and acquiescence and the negotiation of disputes are grounded, to some extent, in good faith. In treaty law, good faith has various manifestations from the time prior to signature through to interpretation. These are outlined here. The article argues that good faith acts to mediate the effects of States' rights in international law, in order to achieve acceptable results when competing interests exist. Fundamentally, good faith is a limitation of State sovereignty, albeit one that is necessary, as it protects other States and their trust and reliance in international law.

From Zero to Hero? An analysis of the human rights protections within the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)

“…Furthermore, paragraph 41 of the GCM holds that states “will implement the Global Compact” which demonstrates clear political intent. In order to act in “good faith” (Reinhold, ), states must ensure that domestic legislation and policy are not in conflict with the GCM commitments. This is demonstrated by States in their discussions of the GCM, for example, in the UK a DFID ministerial statement outlines that the GCM is not interpreted as “being in conflict with its current domestic policies” (Burt, ).…”

Trump’s Steel and Aluminum Tariffs, National Security, and WTO Law

“…73 Many aspects of 'good faith' -namely, pacta sunt servanda, abuse of rights and discretion, as well as estoppel and acquiescence -and negotiations in 'good faith' have been addressed or applied in the panel's or the Appellate Body's reports. 74 Moreover, the panels and the Appellate Body repeatedly stated that the 'good faith' principle, at once a general principle of law and international law, controls the exercise of rights by states. 75 This suggests that good faith may underlie the WTO agreements as a whole.…”

Estoppelyla Convenciónde NuevaYork. Contornoseconómicos de una aproximación hermeneútico- axiológica

“…Sobre el impedimento que surja del silencio de un agente, según Ovchar (2009), aunque la CIJ no haya sido tampoco consistente respecto de ello, quizás la referencia primera se encuentre en Fisheries. 26 Reinhold (2013) insiste en que existen suficientes argumentos como para afirmar que el estoppel es un principio de derecho internacional que descansa sobre el principio de buena fe y en la consistencia. 27 Básicamente se trata de impedir que un agente adopte una posición legal que entre en contradicción con sus representaciones o declaraciones previas en la medida en que otro agente haya asumido obligaciones o haya atribuido derechos en relación con la declaración o representación del agente y soportándose en ella.…”

“…De acuerdo con Reinhold (2013), si se quiere a nivel de municipal law en donde se encuentra reflejada la máxima venire contra factum propium, esto tendrá su equivalente en derecho internacional, pero de forma mucho más extensa. Refiere él otro contorno de la opinión del juez Alfaro, en el sentido de que (i) la buena fe debe prevalecer en las relaciones internacionales tanto como (ii) la consistencia en materia de conducta u opinión de parte de un Estado y faltando esta, pues se estaría yendo en contra de la primera.…”

“…UCL Journal of Law and Jurisprudence, 2, p. 54. 28 Véase Reinhold, S. (2013). Good faith in international law.…”