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international court of justice

Low
UK/ˌɪntəˈnæʃ(ə)nəl ˌkɔːt əv ˈdʒʌstɪs/US/ˌɪntərˈnæʃ(ə)nəl ˌkɔːrt əv ˈdʒʌstɪs/

Formal, Academic, Legal, Diplomatic

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Definition

Meaning

The principal judicial organ of the United Nations, which settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on international legal questions.

The main international court that adjudicates disputes submitted by countries and provides authoritative interpretations of international law; often referred to as the World Court.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Proper noun; always capitalized. Refers specifically to the UN court in The Hague, not to international courts in general. Often abbreviated as ICJ.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in usage; both use the full formal title. The abbreviation 'ICJ' is equally common in both varieties.

Connotations

Associated with formal diplomacy, international law, and state sovereignty. Neutral to positive connotations of impartial justice.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in legal, political, and news contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
refer a case to the International Court of Justicebring a case before the International Court of Justiceadvisory opinion of the International Court of Justicejudges of the International Court of Justicejurisdiction of the International Court of Justice
medium
International Court of Justice rulingInternational Court of Justice decisionInternational Court of Justice proceedingsInternational Court of Justice caseseat of the International Court of Justice
weak
International Court of Justice buildingInternational Court of Justice hearingInternational Court of Justice chamberInternational Court of Justice registrar

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Country/State] brought the matter before the International Court of Justice.The International Court of Justice ruled on [legal issue].The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion regarding [topic].

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

principal judicial organ of the UN

Neutral

World CourtICJ

Weak

international tribunalHague court

Vocabulary

Antonyms

national courtdomestic tribunalmunicipal court

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “take it to the World Court”
  • “a matter for The Hague”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare, except in international arbitration or disputes involving state entities.

Academic

Common in law, political science, and international relations texts.

Everyday

Very rare; appears mainly in news about international disputes.

Technical

Core term in international law and diplomacy.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The UK may seek to have the dispute adjudicated by the International Court of Justice.
  • They are considering referring the maritime boundary issue to the International Court of Justice.

American English

  • The US decided not to submit the case to the International Court of Justice.
  • The treaty allows either party to petition the International Court of Justice.

adverb

British English

  • The case was decided International Court of Justice-style, with great deliberation.
  • They argued International Court of Justice-proper, citing numerous precedents.

American English

  • The dispute was settled International Court of Justice-fashion, through legal argument.
  • The opinion was drafted International Court of Justice-appropriately, with multiple concurrences.

adjective

British English

  • The International Court of Justice ruling was binding.
  • An International Court of Justice advisory opinion carries great weight.

American English

  • The International Court of Justice decision set a precedent.
  • International Court of Justice jurisdiction is based on consent.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • The International Court of Justice is in the Netherlands.
  • Many countries are in the International Court of Justice.
B1
  • The International Court of Justice helps solve problems between countries.
  • A judge from France works at the International Court of Justice.
B2
  • The International Court of Justice recently issued a ruling on a border dispute.
  • States must agree to accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.
C1
  • The advisory opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice clarified the obligations of states under international environmental law.
  • Despite the International Court of Justice's ruling, compliance by the defendant state remained uncertain.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine INTERNATIONAL flags outside a COURT where global JUSTICE is served.

Conceptual Metaphor

JUSTICE AS A SCALE (weighing international arguments), COURT AS AN ARENA (for state disputes).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid translating as 'Международный суд' generically; it refers specifically to the ICJ in The Hague. 'Международный Суд ООН' or 'Гаагский суд' are more precise.
  • Do not confuse with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals.

Common Mistakes

  • Using lowercase ('international court of justice').
  • Confusing it with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  • Referring to it as 'the International Court' without 'of Justice'.
  • Using 'the' incorrectly (it's 'the International Court of Justice', not 'International Court of Justice' in isolation).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The is the main judicial body of the United Nations.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of the International Court of Justice?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The International Court of Justice is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

No, they are different. The ICJ settles disputes between states, while the ICC prosecutes individuals for international crimes like genocide.

Decisions in contentious cases between states are binding on the parties involved. Advisory opinions are not binding but carry great legal weight.

Fifteen judges are elected to nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council.