STATUTE
OF THE
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter I: Organization of the Court (Articles 2 - 33) Chapter II: Competence of the Court (Articles 34 - 38) Chapter III: Procedure (Articles 39 - 64) Chapter IV: Advisory Opinions (Articles 65 - 68) Chapter V: Amendment (Articles 69 & 70)
Article 1
The International Court of Justice established by the Charter of the United Nations as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations shall be constituted and shall function in accordance with the provisions of the present Statute.
CHAPTER I - ORGANIZATION OF THE COURT
Article 2
The Court shall be composed of a body of independent judges, elected regardless of their nationality from among persons of high moral character, who possess the qualifications required in their respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices, or are jurisconsults of recognized competence in international law. Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Before making these nominations, each national group is recommended to consult its highest court of justice, its legal faculties and schools of law, and its national academies and national sections of international academies devoted to the study of law. Article 7
Article 8
The General Assembly and the Security Council shall proceed independently of one another to elect the members of the Court. Article 9 At every election, the electors shall bear in mind not only that the persons to be elected should individually possess the qualifications required, but also that in the body as a whole the representation of the main forms of civilization and of the principal legal systems of the world should be assured. Article 10
Article 11
If, after the first meeting held for the purpose of the election, one or more seats remain to be filled, a second and, if necessary, a third meeting shall take place. Article 12
Article 13
Article 14
Vacancies shall be filled by the same method as that laid down for the first election, subject to the following provision: the Secretary-General shall, within one month of the occurrence of the vacancy, proceed to issue the invitations provided for in Article 5, and the date of the election shall be fixed by the Security Council. Article 15 A member of the Court elected to replace a member whose term of office has not expired shall hold office for the remainder of his predecessor's term. Article 16
Article 17
Article 18
Article 19
The members of the Court, when engaged on the business of the Court, shall enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities. Article 20 Every member of the Court shall, before taking up his duties, make a solemn declaration in open court that he will exercise his powers impartially and conscientiously. Article 21
Article 22
Article 23
Article 24
Article 25
Article 26
Article 27
A judgment given by any of the chambers provided for in Articles 26 and 29 shall be considered as rendered by the Court. Article 28 The chambers provided for in Articles 26 and 29 may, with the consent of the parties, sit and exercise their functions elsewhere than at The Hague. Article 29 With a view to the speedy dispatch of business, the Court shall form annually a chamber composed of five judges which, at the request of the parties, may hear and determine cases by summary procedure. In addition, two judges shall be selected for the purpose of replacing judges who find it impossible to sit. Article 30
Article 31
Article 32
Article 33
The expenses of the Court shall be borne by the United Nations in such a manner as shall be decided by the General Assembly.
CHAPTER II - COMPETENCE OF THE COURT
Article 34
Article 35
Article 36
Article 37
Whenever a treaty or convention in force provides for reference of a matter to a tribunal to have been instituted by the League of Nations, or to the Permanent Court of International Justice, the matter shall, as between the parties to the present Statute, be referred to the International Court of Justice. Article 38