Reviewed case brief

Deutsche Continental Gas-Gesellschaft v. Polish State

(1929) 5 Annual Digest 11

## Summary

statehoodfour-criteriadeclaratory-theoryterritorypopulationgovernmentcapacity
Court
German-Polish Mixed Arbitral Tribunal
Year
1929
Subjects
Public International Law
Reviewed
2026-06-28

Rule established

A state exists in international law when it possesses: (1) a defined territory, (2) a permanent population, (3) an effective government, and (4) capacity to enter into relations with other states. These four criteria constitute the declaratory test of statehood.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (1929) 5 Annual Digest 11

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.