Subjects of International Law: States, Holy See, UN & More

Can you sue the Holy See in a Makati court over a land deal in Parañaque? Can Quebec legally secede from Canada? At first, these questions seem unrelated. But both turn on a fundamental question in Public International Law: Who counts as a subject of international law? In this Lexplainers PH explainer, we break down the State, recognition, sovereignty, the United Nations, and other subjects of international law for Philippine law students and Bar Exam reviewees. We’ll examine the governing principles and the landmark cases that bring them to life. 📚 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • The State – The elements of statehood under the Montevideo Convention, the constitutive and declaratory theories of recognition, and recognition of governments • Creation, Extinction, and Succession – How States come into existence, cease to exist, and differ from governments in matters of succession • The Holy See and Vatican City – Their distinct legal status under international law and the significance of the 1929 Lateran Treaty • The Right to Secede – What the Supreme Court of Canada said about Quebec’s proposed secession and the limits of unilateral secession • Colonies, Dependencies, Mandates, and Trust Territories – Their status and place in the development of international law • The United Nations – Its history, Charter, membership, six principal organs, and Security Council voting system • Other Subjects of International Law – Belligerent communities, insurgents, international organizations, and individuals • Bar Exam Review – Key doctrines, landmark rulings, and points to remember for the Bar ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 Cold Open 0:34 Introduction 1:10 1. The Concept of the State 5:53 2. The Holy See and Vatican City 7:32 3. The Landmark Cases 7:35 Case 1: The Holy See v. Rosario 10:49 Case 2: Reference re Secession of Quebec 13:53 4. Colonies, Mandates, and Trusteeship 15:47 5. The United Nations 19:45 6. Other Subjects of International Law 22:26 7. Bar Exam Tips & Recap ⚖️ LANDMARK CASES DISCUSSED 1. The Holy See v. Rosario G.R. No. 101949, December 1, 1994, 238 SCRA 524 Can a Philippine court exercise jurisdiction over the Holy See in a dispute involving property in the Philippines? This case examines the Holy See’s sovereign status and the doctrine of state immunity. 2. Reference re Secession of Quebec [1998] 2 S.C.R. 217 Can a province unilaterally secede from its parent State? The Supreme Court of Canada examined constitutional principles, democracy, federalism, and international law in determining whether Quebec had a unilateral right to secede. 📝 BAR EXAM REVIEW The key is to understand who has international legal personality, how that status is acquired or recognized, and what rights and obligations follow from it. Master the elements of statehood, the theories of recognition, the distinction between the Holy See and Vatican City, the legal principles governing secession, and the different categories of subjects of international law. If this video helps you, like, subscribe, and share it with a blockmate preparing for the Bar Exam. Drop your questions in the comments, and turn on notifications for the next Lexplainers PH explainer. This video is for educational and Bar Exam review purposes only. It is not legal advice. #PhilippineLaw #BarExam #PublicInternationalLaw #InternationalLaw #LexplainersPH