International Court of Justice

Error creating thumbnail:

Error creating thumbnail:

File:Eerste na-oorlogse zitting van het Internationaal Hof van Justititie Weeknummer 48-09 - Open Beelden - 30541.ogv

International Court of Justice

  File:ICJ logo.png

{{This court-related article is a stub.}}

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Established in 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations, the ICJ began work in April 1946. The court is seated in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.

History

The ICJ was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter and the Statute of the International Court of Justice, which is an integral part of the Charter. It succeeded the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was established in 1920 under the auspices of the League of Nations. The ICJ held its inaugural sitting in April 1946.

Composition

The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected to nine-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council. Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-elected. No two judges may be nationals of the same country.

Jurisdiction

The ICJ has a dual jurisdiction:

• Contentious cases: The Court settles legal disputes submitted to it by states in accordance with international law. Only states may be parties in contentious cases.
• Advisory opinions: The Court gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized international organs and agencies.

Functioning

The ICJ functions in accordance with its Statute, which is an integral part of the United Nations Charter. The Court's official languages are English and French. The ICJ's decisions are binding on the parties involved and are without appeal, although the Court may revise its judgments under certain conditions.

Significant Cases

Some of the significant cases adjudicated by the ICJ include:

• The Corfu Channel case (United Kingdom v. Albania)
• The Nicaragua v. United States case
• The Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro case

Role in International Law

The ICJ plays a crucial role in the development of international law. Its judgments and advisory opinions contribute to the clarification and development of international legal principles.

Criticism and Challenges

The ICJ has faced criticism regarding its effectiveness and the enforcement of its decisions. Some states have been reluctant to comply with its judgments, and the Court has no direct means of enforcement.

Also see

• United Nations
• International Criminal Court
• Permanent Court of Arbitration
• Peace Palace
• International law