Founded in 1946, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a tribunal of international law that specializes in war crimes. It is composed of 15 judges who are elected by UN bodies to serve for nine-year terms. The ICJ’s administrative organ, the Registry, has two official languages: English and French. The court rules on disputes involving international law and issues advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by the UN. Currently, the ICJ publishes its materials separately from the rest of the UN, and not in the main databases.
The ICJ is a unique institution because it has no precedent
for the use of arbitral processes in international law. Its rule-making authority is unique among courts, so it is difficult to predict its impact. But once established, it has a storied history and a bright future. The ICJ also strives to be as accessible as possible. Its membership is diverse and its jurisdiction stretches from the Arctic to the Pacific Ocean.
The ICJ usually sits as a full bench, but it has occasionally convened as a chamber. The ICJ statute provides that the court can form smaller chambers of three or five judges. Article 26 also contemplates special chambers for certain categories of cases or ad hoc chambers to hear particular types of disputes. In 1993, a special chamber was established to handle environmental issues. In addition to these, the ICJ has a special committee that focuses on these issues.
While the International Court of Justice traditionally sits as a full bench
It also sits as a chamber on occasion. The ICJ’s statute allows for the creation of smaller chambers composed of three to five judges. Under Article 26, a chamber may be set up to hear special types of cases or ad hoc chambers for particular disputes. In 1993, the ICJ established a special chamber to hear cases related to environmental issues.
The ICJ’s jurisdiction over a dispute is limited to cases involving the ICJ’s members. The ICJ has jurisdiction only when the parties in a case agree to have the case heard by the Court. A majority decision is a unanimous decision. A dissenting opinion is not considered a dissenting opinion. There are also rules on jurisdiction over certain types of cases. Depending on the case, the court may hear the case in a chamber.
Although the ICJ is a full bench, the court has also sat in chambers
Generally, chambers consist of three to five judges. ICJ judges do not sit as a part of a national judiciary, although the ICJ may occasionally act as a judge in a particular country. Some countries even have a separate chamber for environmental disputes. It has a wide range of jurisdiction and responsibilities.
The ICJ has no formal procedure for determining jurisdiction in cases. Its members are only states. Its membership is meant to represent the principal legal systems and forms of civilization in the world. A judge may deliver a joint judgment or separate opinions. Usually, only two or three judges participate in a case. Occasionally, a third judge may be present in a chamber. In such a case, the judges may be seated by one or several judges.
The ICJ has a full bench, but it has also met in chambers on occasion
This is permitted under Articles 26 and 29 of the ICJ statute, which allows the court to create smaller chambers consisting of three or five judges. Specifically, a special chamber has been established to deal with environmental matters. The ICJ has four permanent members of the United Nations. The ICJ has a wide range of jurisdiction.
The ICJ’s mandate is to rule on disputes involving international law. While a full bench is the most common method, it can occasionally convene in chambers. Its rules allow smaller chambers to hear particular disputes. The ICJ’s rules of procedure are available online. Some of these are specific to specific countries. In addition, the ICJ may also be referred to other bodies for case-related matters.
