The expansion of international law has resulted in a detailed regulation of various new legal fields - for example space law - on one hand, and a fragmentation of the international legal system on the other. The nature of space activities is extremely complex, therefore one of the challenges is how to determine which norms are applicable in a particular case and in case of a conflict of norms, which norms prevail.
One of the rules for resolution of such conflicts is the lex specialis derogat legi generali rule, which determines that a more special provision prevails over a more general one and derogates it.
This thesis in its first part presents the theoretical background of the lex specialis rule, its application to international law and its interaction with other conflict-solution techniques. In the second part, it examines firstly, whether and to what extent space law may be considered lex specialis to general international law, assessing the possibilities of space law being labelled as a self-contained regime or a lex specialis to the secondary rules on State responsibility. Secondly, it examines whether space law is lex specialis to the two sub-branches of international law - namely, international environmental law in case of environmental harm or the removal of space debris and international investment law in case of investments in outer space.
In light of the increasing development of the space sector and the alleged special nature of space law an assessment is made whether there exists a need for a new international tribunal, specialized for disputes arising from space activities.
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