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50th Anniversary: Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) which was adopted on May 23, 1969. Known as ‘the treaty on treaties’, the VCLT covers the most important areas concerning the international law on treaties between states, from defining what constitutes a treaty and how it is brought into force, to how a treaty operates in practice, and the rules on amendments and terminations.

To celebrate the VCLT’s golden anniversary, we have put together a collection of articles and chapters exploring its origins and entry into force, as well as an assortment of commentary on some of the current debates such as treaty terminations, Article 62, and the obscure doctrine of rebus sic stantibus. All content is free to read until 31st July.

 

Introduction to the VCLT

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969)

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (United Nations [UN]) 1155 UNTS 331

Preamble 1969 Vienna Convention

 

The Law of Treaties (Back to top)

Applying the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
from Treaty Interpretation (2nd Edition)

Treaty Formation
from The Oxford Guide to Treaties

Conclusion and Entry into Force of Treaties
from The Vienna Conventions on the Law of Treaties

Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations, 21st March 1986

Doctrinal Aspects, Subsequent Agreements and Subsequent Practice within and outside the Vienna Convention
from Treaties and Subsequent Practice

Invalidity and Termination of Treaties
from The Law of Treaties Beyond the Vienna Convention

 

Article 62 and rebus sic stantibus (Back to top)

The Judicial Application of the Doctrine ‘Rebus Sic Stantibus’
from The Function of Law in the International Community

Article 62: Fundamental change of circumstances
from The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties – A Commentary

Part VII: State Succession and other Changes, Ch.XLII Other Changes in Circumstances
from The Law of Treaties

Avoiding or Exiting Treaty Commitments, 24 Exceptional Circumstances and Treaty Commitments
from The Oxford Guide to Treaties

Treaties, Fundamental Change of Circumstances: Article 62 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
from the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law

 

From the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law (Back to top)

Treaties, Conclusion and Entry into Force

Validity of Treaties

Good Faith (Bona fide)

Pacta Sunt Servanda

Reservations to Multilateral Treaties

Armed Conflict, Effect on Treaties

Amendment and Revision of Treaties

Tacit Consent/Opting Out Procedure

Termination of Treaties

 

From ICSID Review (Back to top)

Contemporaneity and Evolutive Interpretation under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

Rules of Interpretation (Article 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties)

Investor-State Disputes and the Rise of Recourse to State Party Pleadings As Subsequent Agreements or Subsequent Practice under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties