International Court of Justice, often called the World Court, is the highest judicial agency of the United Nations. It provides a peaceful means of settling international legal disputes. It handles only cases brought by nations or certain international organizations. Its decisions are based on principles of international law and cannot be appealed. The court hears relatively few cases. But many disputes between governments are settled in other international tribunals and in national tribunals on the basis of international law.
No nation has to appear before the court unless it wishes to do so. However, more than 40 nations have pledged themselves to accept the court's jurisdiction to a greater or lesser extent. If one nation refuses to accept the court's decision, the court cannot take direct action. A country's national interest usually governs the country's acceptance of the court's jurisdiction in a given case. However, nations do not submit cases to the court unless they are prepared to accept its decisions.
The General Assembly and the Security Council elect 15 members of the court. The judges are chosen without regard to nationality. They serve for nine years, and may be reelected. The court elects its own president, vice president, and registrar, it has headquarters at The Hague, in the Netherlands.
The decisions of the court are based on a majority vote of the judges present. In case of a tie, the president casts the tie-breaking vote. In giving a decision, the court must state its reasons for its action. Any judge may also deliver a separate opinion.
One of the first attempts to set up an international court was the Permanent Court of Arbitration. This court developed from the Hague Peace Conference of 1899. After World War I, the Council of the League of Nations, assisted by a group of judges, made the first plans for the Permanent Court of International justice. In December 1920, the League of Nations set up the court. The Charter of the United Nations, which was adopted in 1945, organized the International Court of justice to replace the Permanent Court of International justice.
Give English equivalents for the following words and expressions.
legal disputes, to accept the court’s decision, to submit cases, the tie-breaking vote, to deliver a separate opinion
Give the definition to the following word combinations.
The World Court
The Permanent Court of Arbitration
Insert the correct preposition.
1) But many disputes between governments are settled... other international tribunals and... national tribunals... the basis... international law.
2) The decisions... the court are based... a majority vote... the judges present.
3) In December 1920, the League of Nations set... the court.
4) The Permanent Court of Arbitration developed... the Hague Peace Conference of 1899.
Put six types of questions to the following sentence.
Nations do not submit cases to the court unless they are prepared to accept its decisions.
Say whether these statements are true or false.
1) If one nation refuses to accept the court's decision, the court cannot take direct action.
2) The United Nations organized the International Court of justice to replace the Permanent Court of International justice.
3) The world court is the highest judicial agency of the UN.
4) The ICJ usually hears only the most serious cases.
5) The judges are not chosen without regard to nationality.