The ‘Clean Hands’ Doctrine in International Law

Abstract

The clean hands doctrine does not belong in international law. It is a non-legal norm with the ca pability to mediate between international legal norms. Clean hands may be characterized as part of equity but such a characterization does not make the doctrine a part of public international law. The principle of equity exists at the gates of public international law and, so far, has not transferred the clean hands doctrine from international politics to international law. © 2025, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of State and Law. All rights reserved.