Международный Суд ООН (ICJ)

The International Court of Justice(ICJ) – principal judicial organ of the UN

- established in 1945 by the Charter of the UN

- began work in 1946

Headquarters and permanent seat – Peace Palace, the Hague (Netherlands)

Role:

- settlement of legal disputes submitted by States

- advisory opinions on legal questions referred by UN organs and specialized agencies

Registry, headed by a Registrar -administration, elected by the Court for a 7-year term.

Official languages: English, French

Parties to the Court's statute: all UN members. Non-UN members may also become parties.

Composition:

- 15 judges elected for 9 years by GA and SC

- elections every 3 years

- continuity (1/3 of judges retiring/re-elected each election)

- Judges are elected as individuals, not as representatives of their countries, and are required to make a solemn declaration in open court of impartiality in the exercise of their functions.persons of high moral character

- qualified for highest judicial office in their states

- sufficient competence in int. law

- not able to hold any other post, nor act as counsel

- dismissed by unanimous vote of other members of the Court

- owner of the Peace Palace - The President of the Court (elected triennially by his colleagues