Hard Law vs Soft Law — KSLU Pil Notes

Hard Law vs Soft Law

Hard LawSoft Law
Binding?Yes — legally bindingNo — not legally binding
ExamplesUN Charter, UNCLOS, Geneva ConventionsUNGA resolutions, declarations, guidelines
EffectCreates legal obligationsCreates political and moral pressure
Can become hard law?Already isYes — through consistent State practice → custom
ExampleUDHR (1948) was soft law → became CIL

Info

download our exam preparation kit for your exam