opinio juris sive necessitatis

English

Etymology

Latin, opinio iuris sive necessitatis, "opinion of law or necessity"

Phrase

opinio juris sive necessitatis

1. The principle of international law where states believe or accept that a practice exists and must be followed because of a rule of law requiring it, to the extent that it becomes part of the body of norms known as international Customary Law.

See also

• Lotus principle