Research Guides: Finding a Treaty Without a Citation: Updating Treaties, Reservations, Parties

Updating Treaties, Reservations and Parties

Once you've found your treaty or international agreement, you'll want to be sure to update it as well as the status of reservations made to it by parties and signatories.

Many non-governmental organizations, as well as international organizations, and country websites provide online status updates to treaties, especially if they are responsible for admministering such treaties. A few are provided below:

International Maritime Organization (web site uses frames, click on "Legal" and then "IMO Conventions," then look at the links on the right hand side of the page)
International Atomic Energy Agency (click through to the text of the convention you want, then look to see links regarding ratification or latest status)
International Labour Organization
World Health Organization (click on the name of the treaty, and then you'll see links regarding its status)
World Intellectual Property Organization (note Recent Notifications information toward the bottom of the page, and also click on links to each treaty named for entry into force and contracting party information)

Updating Treaties, Reservations, and Parties
Title	Description	Print/Online Sources
Title	Description	Call Number	Available Online
Bowman and Harris, Multilateral Treaties Index and Current Status	Along with the annual supplement, gives current status, parties to a reaty, note as to reservations and denunciations. Using the chronological table, OR subject or word index, locate the treaty number in the hardbound volume. The information given will be the status as of 1984. Using the same treaty number, look up the treaty in the latest cumulative supplement, which is for 1996.	Law School Harvard Depository JX171 .B68x 1984	N/A
Multilaterial Treaties Deposited with the Secretary General	An annual publication of the UN. Provides current status of all multilateral treaties deposited there. Reference numbers obtained from the back of the volume correspond to chapters and their subdivisions. Included is information on parties, dates of signature, and ratification, as well as information on reservations and declarations.	Law School Ref Desk JX236.5 .M84 [Latest edition only.]	UN Treaty Collection
Treaties in Force	Lists all treaties in force to which the US is a party. In addition, all other states which are parties are given. Treaties in Force can further be updated by the State Department Dispatch. Law School Ref Desk JX236.5 .T7 [Current edition only]. It can also be updated by reviewing the Treaty Actions (published online monthly) by the State Department. The Dispatch can be searched online on Lexis: INTLAW;DSTATE. It can be found on the State Department's website as well as on Westlaw. Note you may also find the Guide to Treaties in Force to be helpful in using this updating resource. It is available electronically through Hein Online, in the Treaties and Agreements Library, under the category of Treaty Guides and Indexes.	Law School Ref Desk JX236.5 .T7 [Current edition only]	Westlaw Lexis U.S. State Department Hein Online Treaties and Agreements Library