The International Court of Justice as a universal guarantee of states' compliance with international law

Abstract

This dissertation examines a role that the International Court of Justice plays in development of international law. The research first investigates history of the tribunal and its position in the United Nations Organization. The Court operates in the UN system and has obligation to cooperate with other organs of the organization. The task of the Court is to exercise judicial function. The ICJ shall resolve disputes between state by applying rules and principles of international law. The Court adjudicates only on the basis of the state's consent. Judgments of the ICJ are legally binding on the parties to a case. Parties are to comply with a judgment, by accepting and executing the decision. Apart from the parties, decisions of the ICJ have an impact on the world community of states, on the international law and the International Court itself. Decisions of the Court are authoritative pronouncement on questions of international law. They have wide and far-reaching influence. The Genocide and North Sea cases are two examples of judgments which are binding only between the parties to the cases, nevertheless the two cases contain important findings on international law which would influence future development of international law.