THE ISSUE OF LACUNAE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW AND NON LIQUET REVISITED

Abstract

The question of whether international tribunals should declare non liquet when faced with lacunae in international law has long been an issue. In 1875, lʼInstitut de Droit International denied the declaration of non liquet by international tribunals in its Resolution saying “le tribunal arbitral ne peut refuser de prononcer sous le prétexte quʼil nʼest pas suffisamment éclairé soit sur les faits, soit sur les principes juridiques quʼil doit appliquer.” 1