Question

With reference to the International Court of Justice, explain the following:

1. Its Composition.
2. Its Compulsory Jurisdiction.
3. Its Advisory Jurisdiction.

Answer 1

1. The International Court of Justice is composed as follows:
   1. It is made up of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, who sit independently.
   2. It cannot comprise more than one judge of any nationality.
   3. One-third of the seats are up for election every three years, and retiring judges can run again.
   4. The Court elects a President and a Vice President for three-year terms. When their tenure ends, they may be re-elected.
   5. The Court has the authority to select its registrar.
2. The International Court of Justice has mandatory jurisdiction in the following areas:
   1. Many treaties require conflicts to be resolved through the court system.
   2. Disputes over the interpretation of international law.
   3. Reparation, which refers to compensation for a breach of an international obligation.
3. The International Court of Justice's advisory procedure is only open to international entities.
   1. Currently, the only bodies permitted to request advisory opinions from the Court are five organs. United Nations and its 16 specialist agencies.
   2. The Court has issued 24 Advisory Opinions since 1946 on issues such as recompense for injuries sustained while serving in the United Nations, the territorial status of South-West Africa and Western Sahara, and so on.