The International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice

International Court Of Justice (ICJ) is the principal of the United Nations Judicial organ of the United Nations, which succeeded the Permanent court of International Justice after World War Two. It gains its legitimacy from Article 92 of the UN Charter, which allows it to function " in accordance with the annexed Statute, which is based upon The Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice and forms an integral part of the present Charter". By Article 93 all members of the UN are ipso-facto members of The Statute and that states not members may become parties, on conditions to be determined in each case by the UN General Assembly on Recommendation of the Security Council. Therefore allowing countries such as Switzerland and San Marino, though not members of the UN, to be parties to the Statute of the Court. The court consist of 15 judges, no two of whom may be Nationals of the same state, elected by the General assembly and the Security Council. They are elected for 9 years and are eligible for Re-elections. The seat of the court is in Hague, Holland, but it may hold sessions elsewhere whenever it considers desirable. It is a continuing body. The Statute provides that it is permanently in session except during judicial vacations. It is also an autonomous body. It elects its president and vice- president, appoints its registrar, and provides for the appointment of other officers and clerical staff. Its function is to pass judgement on disputes between states, As such only states may bring their cases before the court. It is open to all states that are party to the statute and those who agree to the conditions laid down by the SC. The proceedings of the court are carried out in French and English; either may be used by the parties. Written pleading and oral presentations presented in one language are translated into the other. The judgements and opinions are both in French and English. Cases are brought before the court either by the notification to it of a special agreement concluded by the parties or by the unilateral action of one of them through a written appeal to the registrar. Its proceedings are in two parts, written and oral. The Court may also hear witnesses and appoint commissions of experts to make investigations and reports when necessary. These procedures were used in the Corfu Channel, Temple of Preah Vihear and in South West Africa (1966).