4 The Law on the Administration of Occupied Territories

Once a territory is occupied, Article 43 of the 1907 Hague Regulations (“Hague Regulations”) kicks in with the obligation to discharge the functions of government: The authority of the legitimate power having in fact passed into the hands of the occupant, the latter shall take all the measures in his power to restore and ensure, as far as possible, public order and [civil life], while respecting, unless absolutely prevented, the laws in force in the country.1 This concise statement is the gist of the traditional law of occupation. Very few words are used to...