Legal Definitions - Rebus sic stantibus

Definition: Rebus sic stantibus is a legal principle that allows for the unenforceability of a treaty or agreement due to significant changes in circumstances. This principle is often included as a clause in international agreements and treaties.

Example: Imagine two countries sign a treaty to share water resources from a river. However, due to a severe drought, the river dries up, making it impossible to fulfill the terms of the treaty. In this case, the principle of rebus sic stantibus could be invoked to renegotiate or terminate the treaty.

The principle of rebus sic stantibus is one of the oldest norms of customary international law and is recognized by the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. It allows for flexibility in international agreements and recognizes that unforeseen circumstances can make it impossible to fulfill the terms of a treaty.