Once the ‘popular plaything of Realpolitiker’ the doctrine of rebus sic stantibus post the 1969 VCLT is often described as an objective rule by which, on grounds of equity and justice, a fundamental change of circumstances may be invoked as a ground for termination of a treaty. Yet recent practice from some States suggests that it is returning with a new livery. They point to an understanding that is premised on vital State interests––a view popular among scholars such as Erich Kaufmann at the beginning of the last century.

Independence of States — Paragraph 8 of Article 15 of the Covenant of the League — Matters of Exclusive Domestic Jurisdiction — Relative Nature of.

Protectorates — Powers of the Protecting State — Sources of — Regulation by International Law.

Clausula rebus sic stantibus — Invoked by France before the Permanent Court of International Justice.

Covenant of the League of Nations — Interpretation of — Paragraph 8 of Article 15 — Matters of Domestic Jurisdiction — Meaning of — Object of Paragraph 8 — Relative Character of Matters of Domestic Jurisdiction — Character of Decision as to Nature of a Dispute within the Meaning of Paragraph 8 — Differences in the English and French Texts of the Covenant.