Comitas Gentium

Definition of Comitas Gentium

In the context of international law, the legal resource A Dictionary of Law, provides a definition of Comitas Gentium : (comity, comitas gentium)

n.

Neighbourly gestures or courtesies extended from one state to another, or others, without accepting a legal obligation to behave in that manner. Comity is founded upon the concept of sovereign equality among states and is expected to be reciprocal. It is possible for such practices, over a period of time and with common usage, to develop into rules of customary international law, although this requires such behaviour to acquire a binding or compelling quality.

See custom; opinio juris.