International Law

We do not just teach you how to do law, but also how to think about law.

With up to 50 specialised courses on different international law topics taught each year and with an unrivaled teacher-student ratio allowing for close interaction and real engagement with the faculty, our students are able to gain a solid grounding in international law.

We teach our students not just how to do law, but also how to think about law. We believe that in order to effectively tackle real-world issues, one needs not just technical knowledge and practical skills, but a deep understanding of what international law is and how it works.

The Graduate Institute's strategic location in the heart of International Geneva enables our students to build strong personal and professional networks with legal practitioners, preparing them for successful international careers.

About us

 

Our Department has a rich tradition of teaching and research in international law, with an unfaltering commitment to forming and training the most promising international lawyers of tomorrow.

The Graduate Institute's international law professors and lecturers are highly regarded in their respective fields of specialisation and expertise. They are deeply committed to research and their publications are widely acclaimed. They are also engaged in practice and provide consultancy and advice to governments and other international actors on a regular basis. They are a diverse group of individuals coming from all around the globe, who bring their intellectual knowledge and practical experience to their research and teaching (in English and French).

The faculty's areas of teaching and research cover the full spectrum of international law, including: international law-making and international dispute settlement by international courts and tribunals; international organisations law; State sovereignty, jurisdiction; international human rights; international migration law; international criminal law; international environmental law; international economic law (including WTO law and investment arbitration); international law theory; transnational law and business transactions, and many others.

The International Law Department's faculty includes honorary professors and visiting faculty from other universities or professional practices, who spend one or more terms teaching at the Institute.

The department organises regular events, a colloquium series and seminars.

We teach our students how to do law and how to think about law.
Vincent Chetail
Professor of the International Law Department

Upcoming events

Call for Papers

How and Why Do Double Standards Matter for International Law?

15-17 May 2025 Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies; Geneva, Switzerland

TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR MARCELO KOHEN

On the occasion of his retirement after a long career at the Institute

Research projects

Contact us

 

Mailing Address

International Law
Maison de la paix
Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A
Case Postale 1672
CH-1211 Genève 1

Email: di@graduateinstitute.ch

Access

The Maison de la paix is located at Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A, on the corner of Avenue de France. You may take tram 15 until the Maison de la paix stop or, alternatively, walk a few minutes from the stop at Place des Nations.