International Agreements Between Nonstate Actors as a Source of International Law

Abstract

International issues that are resolved traditionally through agreements between states are managed currently through agreements between government agencies and corporate capacity to engage in international law-making. Are their international agreements a source of international law? The question is addressed in a case-study of petroleum agencies and corporations in ninety-eight countries. These agencies and corporations are authorized to conclude maritime zones and boundaries (shared resources). Their agreements are subjected to linguistic and procedural criteria for purposes of identification as a source of international legal rules on shared resources. The present paper summarizes some of the data and findings in the case study.