What is the International Court of Justice?
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the main judicial branch of the United Nations (UN). It serves as the primary legal body for settling disputes between UN Member States, providing advice to the organization on legal issues and issuing rulings on contentious international law matters. The ICJ is located in The Hague, Netherlands and is the only UN organ that not only has jurisdiction over the entire world, but also enjoys its own physical premises. The ICJ has the authority to adjudicate any matter that is within its jurisdiction, which can range from resolving disputes between States to providing legal advice on international law. It is composed of 15 judges who are elected for a nine-year term by the UN General Assembly and Security Council. All rulings of the ICJ are legally-binding, and must be followed by the parties involved in the dispute. The ICJ makes decisions that impact not only the immediate parties involved, but also global levels of peace, security and justice. In the case of a dispute between two or more States, the Court’s ruling will help to ensure the continued functioning of international relations and to regulate the way States interact with each other. In addition, the ICJ works to ensure that the protection of human rights in Washington, and across the world, is in line with international law.
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