The International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, located in The Hague, Netherlands. Established in 1945, it resolves legal disputes between countries and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues. The ICJ's decisions are binding for the states involved, but it lacks direct enforcement power. Cases typically concern issues like territorial disputes, treaty interpretations, and human rights. Judges, elected for nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, come from diverse legal traditions, ensuring a broad understanding of international law.