section_path: Abstract
section_name: Abstract
paragraph_text: The International Court of Justice (ICJ; French: Cour internationale de justice, CIJ), or colloquially the World Court, is the only international court that adjudicates general disputes between nations, and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues as interpretation of international treaties, borders disputes and human rights cases. It is one of the six organs of the United Nations (UN), and is located in The Hague, Netherlands. The ability to file a case before the ICJ is limited exclusively to recognized governments of states.
  
  The ICJ is the successor of the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was established in 1920 by the League of Nations. After the Second World War, the League and the PCIJ were replaced by the United Nations and ICJ, respectively. The Statute of the ICJ, which sets forth its purpose and structure, draws heavily from that of its predecessor, whose decisions remain valid. All member states of the UN are party to the ICJ Statute and may initiate contentious legal cases; however, advisory proceedings may be submitted only by certain UN organs and agencies.
  
  The ICJ consists of a panel of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms. No more than one judge of each nationality may be represented on court at the same time, and judges collectively must reflect the principal civilizations and legal systems of the world. Seated in the Peace Palace in The Hague, the ICJ is the only principal UN organ not located in New York City. Its official working languages are English and French.
  
  Since the entry of its first case on 22 May 1947, the ICJ has managed 191 cases through 13 November 2023. Pursuant to Article 59 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, the court's rulings and opinions are binding on the parties with respect to the particular case ruled on by the court.