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

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 permanent

jurisdiction. In 1955 Israel, US and the UK brought a case against

long-standing Dispute between the United States and Norway involving

nationality, but prejudices are impossible to eliminate totally due to

Its function is to pass judgement on disputes between states,

of the UN and specialized agencies, when authorised by the GA. Such

resulting in the court being ineffective. For example the aircraft

its usefulness is undeniable. Most importantly, the ICJ, at the very

it advocated the Conservation of the 'living resources of the sea".

admissions into the UN. Because of the ICJ's limited powers, its

the Sandinista government. Two years later, the ICJ ruled in favour of

opinions. It has a mixed record of successes and failures, with a

withdrawn its acceptance of the ICJ's jurisdiction. All these examples

whole or part with the judgement. The decision of the court is final

British fishing vessels operating inside Norwegian claimed waters.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Nicaraguan Contra, UN ICJ's, Hague Holland, Belgium's ICJ, International Law, Assembly SC, West Africa, Channel US-Nicaragua, French English, Security Council, security council, court international justice, french english, resolve brought, south west, icj's jurisdiction, north sea, un charter, advisory opinions, preah vihear, brought court, permanent court international,
Approximate Word count = 1900
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)