Typical questions

• • Is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in force?

• • I need a list of bilateral trade treaties of the UK.

Starting points

• • There are many different types of treaties. Research can involve complex legal queries. If a local law librarian is not available, good starting points are the Study guides listed in this chapter.

• • Searches are more likely to be effective if the user is specific about the type of treaty they need. Basic questions to ask include: is the treaty bilateral or multilateral? Is it related to a specific international organisation or national government? Is it historic or recent?

• • Good starting points include the websites of national governments and international organisations. Most will list and/or provide the full text of treaties to which they are a signatory. However, be careful to check when the website was last updated!

• • Note that there are often long delays between the registration/ratification dates of a treaty and its entry into force. It may not be possible to obtain preparatory or drafting materials for all treaties.

Recommended resources

Key organisations - national

These are examples of national government websites. To trace those of other nations, search for the foreign ministry.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Treaty Section

www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-treaties

The FCO provides guidance on treaties to which the UK is or has been a signatory. It includes free access to UK Treaties Online Service (treaties.fco.gov.uk). This contains records of treaties published since 1783 and links to the texts of Command Papers published in the UK Treaty Series from 1892 to present.

Office of Treaty Affairs (US)

www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/treaty-affairs

Provides guidance on all aspects of US treaty law and practice. Its website includes free access to Treaties in Force.

Treaties in Force

www.state.gov/treaties-in-force

Prepared annually by the Department of State and provides information on multilateral and bilateral treaties to which the US is a signatory.

Key organisations - international

African Union Treaties

au.int/ en/ treaties

Council of Europe Treaty Office

www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/home

Access the text of all Council of Europe treaties, their explanatory reports, the status of signatures and ratifications since 2000.