Statute of the International Court of Justice
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The Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is an essential legal instrument that serves as the foundational document governing the structure, jurisdiction, and procedures of the ICJ, which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The ICJ is responsible for settling legal disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised international bodies.
Establishment and composition: The Statute establishes the ICJ as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It outlines the composition of the Court, which consists of 15 judges elected by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council for nine-year terms. The judges are chosen from different countries to ensure a representative and diverse composition.
Jurisdiction: The Statute defines the jurisdiction of the ICJ, which includes two main types of cases: contentious cases and advisory proceedings. Contentious cases are disputes between states that have agreed to submit their disputes to the Court's jurisdiction. Advisory proceedings involve providing non-binding advisory opinions on legal questions referred to the Court by authorised international organisations and UN bodies.
Settlement of disputes: The Statute promotes peaceful settlement of disputes by requiring parties to seek negotiations and other peaceful means before bringing a case to the ICJ. It also allows states to make declarations accepting the Court's jurisdiction as compulsory, which means they are bound to accept the Court's decisions in disputes with other states that have made similar declarations.
Binding nature of decisions: The Statute establishes that the judgments and orders of the ICJ are binding on the parties involved in a dispute. Parties are obligated to comply with the Court's decisions and take necessary measures to implement them.
Adherence to international law: The Statute emphasises that the ICJ shall apply international law as the primary source of its decisions. It states that the Court shall decide cases based on international conventions, international custom, general principles of law recognised by civilised nations, and judicial decisions and teachings of highly qualified publicists.
Role of the ICJ: The Statute empowers the ICJ to adjudicate disputes on a wide range of legal issues, including territorial disputes, treaty interpretation, state responsibility, human rights, and international humanitarian law. The Court's decisions and advisory opinions contribute to the development and interpretation of international law.
The Statute of the International Court of Justice plays a vital role in maintaining international peace and security by providing a forum for the peaceful resolution of disputes between states and the authoritative interpretation of international law. It establishes the legal framework within which the ICJ operates and serves as a reference point for the Court's jurisdiction, procedures, and decision-making.
Establishment and composition: The Statute establishes the ICJ as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It outlines the composition of the Court, which consists of 15 judges elected by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council for nine-year terms. The judges are chosen from different countries to ensure a representative and diverse composition.
Jurisdiction: The Statute defines the jurisdiction of the ICJ, which includes two main types of cases: contentious cases and advisory proceedings. Contentious cases are disputes between states that have agreed to submit their disputes to the Court's jurisdiction. Advisory proceedings involve providing non-binding advisory opinions on legal questions referred to the Court by authorised international organisations and UN bodies.
Settlement of disputes: The Statute promotes peaceful settlement of disputes by requiring parties to seek negotiations and other peaceful means before bringing a case to the ICJ. It also allows states to make declarations accepting the Court's jurisdiction as compulsory, which means they are bound to accept the Court's decisions in disputes with other states that have made similar declarations.
Binding nature of decisions: The Statute establishes that the judgments and orders of the ICJ are binding on the parties involved in a dispute. Parties are obligated to comply with the Court's decisions and take necessary measures to implement them.
Adherence to international law: The Statute emphasises that the ICJ shall apply international law as the primary source of its decisions. It states that the Court shall decide cases based on international conventions, international custom, general principles of law recognised by civilised nations, and judicial decisions and teachings of highly qualified publicists.
Role of the ICJ: The Statute empowers the ICJ to adjudicate disputes on a wide range of legal issues, including territorial disputes, treaty interpretation, state responsibility, human rights, and international humanitarian law. The Court's decisions and advisory opinions contribute to the development and interpretation of international law.
The Statute of the International Court of Justice plays a vital role in maintaining international peace and security by providing a forum for the peaceful resolution of disputes between states and the authoritative interpretation of international law. It establishes the legal framework within which the ICJ operates and serves as a reference point for the Court's jurisdiction, procedures, and decision-making.
