alþjóðadómstól

Alþjóðadómstóll, often translated as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established in 1945 by the UN Charter and began work in 1946. The Court is located in The Hague, Netherlands. Its primary function is to settle legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

The Court is composed of fifteen judges, elected for renewable nine-year terms by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations. These judges are chosen 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. The Court ensures the representation of the world's principal legal systems and geographical distribution.

Jurisdiction of the ICJ is twofold: contentious cases and advisory proceedings. Contentious cases are cases between states. Only states can be parties to the Court proceedings. Advisory proceedings are requests for opinions on legal questions by the General Assembly, the Security Council, and other authorized UN organs and specialized agencies. The Court's decisions in contentious cases are binding on the parties involved. Advisory opinions are not binding but carry great moral authority. The Court plays a vital role in the peaceful settlement of international disputes and the development of international law.