The Meuse Case (Neth. v. Belg.)
Permanent Court of International Justice
1937 P.C.I.J. (ser. A/B) No. 70
Relevant factsFree
The Netherlands (plaintiff) and Belgium (defendant) both drew water from the Meuse River for their own respective canal locks. The Netherlands petitioned the Permanent Court of International Justice, claiming Belgium's water use violated an 1863 treaty between the two countries, and sought an order requiring Belgium to stop.
IssueFree
Whether international tribunals may apply equitable principles as an inherent part of international law, rather than as a separate legal concept requiring explicit authorization.