International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Why in News?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that countries are legally obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under international law. Failure to act constitutes a wrongful act, making them potentially liable for compensation to vulnerable nations like small island states.

Description:

• Established: June 1945 (by UN Charter)
• Operational Since: April 1946
• Location: Peace Palace, The Hague (Netherlands)
• Official Languages: French and English

Powers and Functions

1. Contentious Cases: Resolves disputes between UN member states on:
   1. Land/Maritime boundaries
   1. Territorial sovereignty
   1. Non-use of force & humanitarian law violations
   1. Diplomatic relations and non-interference in internal affairs
2. Advisory Opinions: Provides legal clarifications to UN bodies or specialized agencies.
   1. Opinions are non-binding, unlike judgments in contentious cases.
3. Judgments:
   1. Final and binding in contentious cases, without appeal.
   1. Based on international law (conventions, custom, legal principles, judicial decisions, expert writings).

Composition:

• Judges: 15 members, elected for 9-year terms by UN General Assembly & Security Council.
• Election Rotation: One-third of judges are elected every 3 years.
• Independence: Judges represent international law, not their home countries.
• Ad hoc Judges: States without a judge of their nationality can appoint a temporary judge for a specific case.

Key Administrative Body:

• Registry: Permanent secretariat independent of the UN Secretariat.

La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.

FOLLOW US ON:

◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam

◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS

◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/

GET IN TOUCH:

Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/

or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140

OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020

Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524,  Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081

Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040