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International Responsibility of States for Their Administration of Justice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2009

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Like any legal system, international law assigns a place to responsibility. The very recognition of the existence of international law implies the principle of responsibility for the violation of the international legal duties imposed on the State. As formulated by Max Huber, the first president of the Permanent Court of International Justice: “La responsabilité est le corollaire nécessaire du droit. Tous droits d'ordre international ont pour conséquence une responsabilité internationale.” Ch. de Visscher regards the international responsibility of States as a logical consequence of their equality in the international legal system. The mutual recognition of their sovereignty implies on the one hand the freedom of action essential to the accomplishment of their objectives, while on the other hand it imposes upon them the restrictions necessarily ensuing from the existence of different States that have equal rights. “Une fois reconnu par la communauté Internationale, l'Etat … apparait comme capable d'enfreindre le droit international et d'assumer de ce chef des responsabilités.”

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Copyright © T.M.C. Asser Press 1975

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References

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81. “L'Etat est responsable du chef de déni de justice: 10 Lorsque les tribunaux necessaires pour assurer la protection des étrangers n'existent ou ne fonctionnent pas; 20 Lorsque les tribunaux ne sont pas accessibles aux étrangers; 30 Lorsque les tribunaux n'offrent pas les garanties indispensables pour assurer une bonne justice.” (Article 5) “L'Etat est également responsable si la procédure ou le jugement constituent un manquement manifeste à la justice, notamment s'ils ont été inspirés par la malveillance à l'égard des étrangers comme tels, ou comme ressortissants d'un Etat déterminé.” (Article 6) Annuaire, 1927, Vol. III, p. 330.Google Scholar

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83. “The denial to an alien of the right to initiate, or to participate in proceedings in a tribunal or an administrative authority to determine his civil rights or obligations is wrongful: (a) if it is a clear and discriminatory violation of the law of the State denying such access; (b) if it unreasonably departs from these rules of access to tribunals or administrative authorities which are recognized by the principal legal systems of the world; or (c) if it otherwise involves a violation by the State of a treaty.” A.J.I.L. 1961, p. 548.Google Scholar

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89. In the case of Austin (1930). Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 624.

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91. Mexico-U.S.A. Commission in the case of Chase (1928). Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 339.

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94. In the case of Venale (1927). Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 245.

95. In the case of Chattin (1927). Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 295.

96. In the case of Roberts (1926). Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 80.

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