ICJ legal framework and its functioning.

1. ► The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the
principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
► The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague
(Netherlands).
► The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with
international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and
to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by
authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.
► The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for
terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General
Assembly and the Security Council.

2. How the Court works
►The Court may entertain two types of cases:
1. Legal disputes between States submitted to
it by them (contentious cases) and;
2. Requests for advisory opinions on legal
questions referred to it by United Nations
organs and specialized agencies (advisory
proceedings).

3. Contentious cases
►Only States (States Members of the United
Nations and other States which have become
parties to the Statute of the Court or which
have accepted its jurisdiction under certain
conditions) may be parties to contentious cases.
► The Court is competent to entertain a dispute
only if the States concerned have accepted its
jurisdiction.

4. Advisory Proceedings
► Advisory proceedings before the Court are open
solely to five organs of the United Nations and to
16 specialized agencies of the United Nations
family.
► The United Nations General Assembly and
Security Council may request advisory opinions
on “any legal question”. Other United Nations
organs and specialized agencies can only ask for
advice on their special area.