International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the main judicial organ of the United Nations.
It settles legal disputes between member states in accordance with international law
and its rulings are binding.
The Court is composed of 15 independent judges, elected for nine-year terms, who
come from different legal systems and cultures.
The Court is seated in The Hague, Netherlands, and has the power to issue advisory
opinions on legal questions from other international bodies. Its decisions ensure that
disputes between states are resolved in a peaceful and orderly manner, strengthening
the rule of law in international affairs.
The Court was established in 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and its Statute
is an integral part of the Charter. It is the successor to the Permanent Court of
International Justice, which was created in 1922 by the League of Nations. The Court
has the jurisdiction to settle disputes between states in accordance with international
law, including international treaties, customary international law, and the general
principles of law recognized by most nations.
The Court's jurisdiction is limited to disputes between states. It cannot hear disputes
involving individuals, companies, or non-state entities. It also cannot hear disputes
between states and international organizations. The Court's jurisdiction is mainly based
on the consent of the parties to the dispute, who must agree to submit their dispute to
the Court.