Question

The United Nations Organisation aims to maintain international peace. With reference to its organs and agencies, answer the following:

What is the composition of the International Court of Justice?

What is the importance of the International Court of Justice?

Answer 1

1. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each other. It may not include more than one judge from any nationality.
2. Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-elected.
3. The Members of the Court do not represent their governments but are independent magistrates.
4. The judges must possess the qualifications required in their respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices, or be jurists of recognized competence in international law.
5. The composition of the Court has also to reflect the main forms of civilisation and the principal legal systems of the world.
6. The Court elects its President and Vice President for a three-year term. They may, when their term expires, be re-elected. The Court has the power to appoint its Registrar.