International is term coined by Jeremy Bentham.It is body of rules and principles which regulates the relationship between the states . International Law is necessary for maintaining the peace in the world and without it there would be frequent clashes and wars in the world .
Origin :
The origin of International Law can be traced back to 15th century.
Definitions:
According to Brierley:
International Law is the body of rules and principles of action which are binding upon civilized states in their relations with one another.
According to Oppenheim:
International Law is the body of customary and conventional rules,which are considered binding on civilized states in their relations with each other .
Importance of International Law:
International Law stands for those rules which all the civilized states follow in dealing with one another .The observance of these rules by independent states in necessary by the circumstances of new modern world where State finds them incapable of remaining isolated from one another and where international society cannot tolerate international disorders .
Nature of International Law:
The question whether International Law is a true law or not has been subject of great controversy.Almost from the early stages of the development of Law of Nations ,the question whether International Law is a law in the true sense has been subject of debate .Has it any binding force? Opinions have sharply been divided on this question.
Main School of Thoughts on this question is Positivist School of Thought and Historical School of Thought.