THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE COUR INTERNATIONALE

THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

COUR INTERNATIONALE DE JUSTICE The International Court of Justice, located at the city of The Hague in the Netherlands, was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter as the primary judicial arm of the United Nations.

Peace Palace – the seat of international law

As stated in Article 93 of the UN Charter, all 193 UN members are automatically parties to the Court's statute.

Structure The ICJ is comprised of 15 Judges versed in International Law who serve for 9 years and who are elected by the United Nations General Assembly. Nominations are made on a geographical basis to ensure global representation.

Current permanent judges:

The main functions of the ICJ are: to settle legal disputes (Contentious Cases) submitted to it by Member States; to give legal opinions (Advisory Opinions) on cases submitted to it by duly authorized international organizations, agencies and the United Nations General Assembly.

Cases Heard Cases heard are of two types: those adjudicated in accordance with international law; those adjudicated ex aequeo et bono (‘in justice and fairness’). This latter provision has not been used in the Court's history. By the date, Court has judged 161 cases, 13 of which are pending.

The Court relies on the following sources of law and on precedents: International conventions (Treaties); Customary international law; The general principles of law recognized by civilized nations; Judicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law.

Resolving of disputes The main function of the ICJ is to resolve disputes between sovereign states. Disputes may be placed before the court by parties upon conditions prescribed by the U. N. Security Council. No state, however, may be subject to the jurisdiction of the court without the state's consent.

Consent may be given by: express agreement at the time the dispute is presented to the court; prior agreement to accept the jurisdiction of the court in particular categories of cases; by treaty provisions with respect to disputes arising from matters covered by the treaty.

Iran Hostage Crisis (USA vs Iran) 1980 “Case Concerning United States Diplomatic and Consular Staff in Tehran”

Iran Air Flight 655 (USA vs Iran) 1988 “Aerial Incident of 3 July 1988”

Kosovo War (FRY vs NATO-members) 2000 “Case Concerning Legality of Use of Force”

Thank you for your outstanding patience and solidarity! You are the best!