A protocol is an agreement or procedural framework that complements existing treaties or regulates organized processes, with origins in medieval meeting records. In international law, it frequently amends conventions, as exemplified by the Kyoto Protocol or the additions to the Geneva Conventions. It also refers to technical standards, such as data transmission protocols, or to diplomatic manners.
Authors like James Otis characterized protocols as formalized agreements, while organizations like the United Nations employ them to extend legal obligations. The term’s adaptability underscores its function in both binding legal instruments and structured cooperation, spanning scientific research to global agreements.