TY - JOUR N2 - There are different meanings and functions of what is called a “general principle of law.” This article seeks to address their importance as the basis for the systemic integration of the international legal order. When international law is considered as a legal system, its normative unity and completeness seems essential. This article argues that general principles of law are a necessary, although less visible, element of international legal practice and reasoning, which secure the systemic integration and long-lasting underpinnings of international law. In this sense they may be seen as the gentle guardians of international law as a legal system. L1 - http://czasopisma.pan.pl/Content/110383/PDF/11_Kwiecien.pdf L2 - http://czasopisma.pan.pl/Content/110383 PY - 2017 IS - No XXXVII EP - 242 KW - coherence of the legal order KW - completeness of the legal order KW - general principles of law KW - international legal reasoning KW - sources of international law KW - systemic integration of international law A1 - Kwiecień, Roman PB - Institute of Law Studies PAS PB - Committee on Legal Sciences PAS DA - 2017 T1 - General Principles of Law: The Gentle Guardians of Systemic Integration of International Law SP - 235 UR - http://czasopisma.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/110383 T2 - Polish Yearbook of International Law ER -