6 Triggering the International Law of Armed Conflict

Abstract

This chapter deals with thresholds which must be met before the law of armed conflict applies. This law of armed conflict (also known as international humanitarian law) is often known as the jus in bello. It applies whether or not the conflict is accepted as having given rise to a State of War. The chapter highlights the different situations where the international law of armed conflict applies and how this affects the regimes which can be used to prosecute war crimes.