comity of nations
Học thuậtThân thiện
The ambassador emphasized the importance of the comity of nations during the diplomatic reception.
Definition
- Noun:
- Courteous respect by one nation for the laws and institutions of another: The "comity of nations" refers to the friendly recognition and mutual respect among sovereign states, which facilitates cooperation and the voluntary acceptance of each other's legal and institutional practices.
Usage
- The term is used in international relations and law to describe the principle of reciprocity and courtesy that governs interactions between countries.
- It implies a voluntary practice, not a binding legal obligation, based on goodwill and mutual advantage.
Examples
- Noun:
- The decision to recognize the foreign judgment was based on the principle of the comity of nations.
- Diplomatic relations are often strengthened by a spirit of comity of nations.
Advanced Usage
- "To act out of comity of nations": To take an action motivated by international courtesy and respect rather than strict legal requirement.
- The court dismissed the case, acting out of comity of nations to avoid interfering with the foreign state's sovereignty.
Variants and Related Words
- Comity (n): Courtesy and considerate behavior toward others. In a legal context, it often refers specifically to "judicial comity," the respect one court shows to another.
- The judge cited principles of comity in deferring to the ruling of the sister state's court.
Synonyms
- International comity: The specific application of comity between nations.
- Mutual respect (among nations): A general phrase describing reciprocal esteem between countries.
- Civility (in international affairs): Polite and formal conduct in relations between states.
Related Phrases
- Principle of comity: The foundational idea that nations should extend courtesy to one another's laws and institutions.
- The extradition treaty was founded on the principle of comity.
Notes
- The "comity of nations" is a foundational concept in private international law (conflict of laws), where it guides decisions on whether to apply foreign law or enforce foreign judgments.
- It is distinct from legal obligation under treaties or customary international law; it is a practice of voluntary reciprocity.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of the comity of nations during the diplomatic reception.
Noun
- courteous respect by one nation for the laws and institutions of another