A Consideration of the Positive Law Application of Non-State Rules of Law

Non-state law is often, in private international law, considered as non-applicable before state courts. This article challenges that assumption by making an in-depth enquiry into its application, looking beyond legislation into the practice of state courts. While it is often true that the majority of the world's legal systems do not make allowance for the application of non-state law in their legislation, the practice of state courts would seem to tell a different story. The article adopts the methodology of investigating the above claim through exploring the application of non-state law instruments in different jurisdictions. It finds that while it is often the case that legislation does not make provision for the application of non-state law, the practice of courts would seem to be more amenable.