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  5. The Implementation of Absolute State Liability in International Law: Mechanisms and the Role of National Legal Systems

Almanac of law. Issue 17 (2026), pages 540–545.

DOI: 10.33663/2524-017X-2026-17-540-545

Khodosh V. V.
The Implementation of Absolute State Liability in International Law: Mechanisms and the Role of National Legal Systems

This article examines the mechanisms for the implementation of absolute liability norms in international law through the analysis of sectoral treaty regimes. It is established that international legal rules define the content of the obligation to provide compensation for damage, while its practical realization is ensured through national legal mechanisms. The study focuses on three distinct regulatory models — nuclear liability, oil pollution liability, and liability for damage caused by space objects — which differ in their structural design, the circle of liable subjects, and the procedures for bringing claims.

The analysis demonstrates that in regimes where liability is structured in civil law terms and supplemented by specific mechanisms, such as channelling of liability, compulsory financial security, and multi-tier compensation systems, victims are granted direct access to remedies, which enables effective compensation. In contrast, the space liability regime retains an inter-state character and relies on diplomatic protection, limiting the possibility of direct claims and reducing the practical effectiveness of liability.

Particular attention is paid to the role of national legal systems, which provide the procedural and institutional framework necessary for the realization of liability, including access to courts, adjudication of claims, and enforcement of decisions. It is argued that absolute liability in international law does not operate as a self-sufficient normative construct but requires properly designed implementation mechanisms. The effectiveness of such liability therefore depends on the interaction between international legal rules and national legal instruments, which together ensure the transition from a formal obligation to actual compensation.

Keywords: international law, absolute liability, lawful activities, implementation mechanisms, national legal systems, compensation for damage, oil pollution, nuclear damage, space law, compensation mechanisms.

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Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 02.04.2026
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 09.04.2026
Дата публікації: 30.04.2026

 

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