6.1 Theories of International & Domestic Law

The Singapore courts adopt a dualist approach in treating international and domestic law as separate legal systems. This is distinct from monism, which was explicitly rejected by the Singapore Court of Appeal in Yong Vui Kong v PP [2015] 2 SLR 1129 at [28], which views both as belonging to the same legal order.

Treaties are not self-executing and cannot create independent rights, powers …