Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (c. 25)

Part 2 Ratification of treaties

25 Meaning of “treaty” and “ratification”

(1) In this Part “treaty” means a written agreement—

(a) between States or between States and international organisations, and

(b) binding under international law.

(2) But “treaty” does not include a regulation, rule, measure, decision or similar instrument made under a treaty (other than one that amends or replaces the treaty (in whole or in part)).

(3) In this Part a reference to ratification of a treaty is a reference to an act of a kind specified in subsection (4) which establishes as a matter of international law the United Kingdom’s consent to be bound by the treaty.

(4) The acts are—

(a) deposit or delivery of an instrument of ratification, accession, approval or acceptance;

(b) deposit or delivery of a notification of completion of domestic procedures.