International Court of Justice
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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It is often referred to as the “World Court” and it is the only international court that has jurisdiction to settle disputes between states. The ICJ is located in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.
Mission of the ICJ
The mission of the ICJ is to:
- Settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by states
- Give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies
Jurisdiction of the ICJ
The ICJ has jurisdiction to hear and decide disputes between states that have consented to its jurisdiction. States may consent to the ICJ’s jurisdiction in two ways:
- By becoming a party to the Statute of the ICJ
- By making a special declaration accepting the ICJ’s jurisdiction
The ICJ also has jurisdiction to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies. Advisory opinions are not binding on states, but they are highly respected and can have a significant impact on the development of international law.
