What is a treaty?

A treaty is a written agreement between two or more countries that defines their respective rights and responsibilities and establishes a legal and binding relationship between the signatories. Treaties are important in international law as they provide a source of binding law that all Parties must comply with. In Massachusetts, a treaty is typically a document that is signed by both parties, or countries, and then ratified by the relevant legislative bodies. The text of a treaty generally outlines the agreed-upon rights and obligations of the countries involved. For example, an environmental treaty may set out specific standards for air and water quality, or a trade treaty may definitively define the rules of trade between two countries. In order for a treaty to become legally binding, it must be ratified by all signatories. This means that each party must present the treaty to their legislative body, such as the US Senate, and obtain passage in order for the treaty to take effect. Treaties are significant in international law because they provide a source of binding law that all signatories are required to follow.

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