Question: What are the similarities and differences between the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
Answer: Below is a side-by-side comparison of the two international
courts. More information about each of the two courts can be found on the UN Courts and Tribunals page.
International Court of Justice International Criminal Court
(ICJ) (ICC) Feature La Cour Internationale de La Cour pnale internationale Justice (CIJ) (CPI)
Website icj-cij.org icc-cpi.int
Year Court 1946 2002
Established
Languages English, French English, French
UN-Relationship Official court of the U.N., Independent. May receive case
commonly referred to as the referrals from the UN Security World Court. Council. Can initiate prosecutions without UN action or referral. Location The Hague, The Netherlands The Hague, The Netherlands
Jurisdiction U.N. member-states (i.e. Individuals
national governments)
Types of Cases (1) Contentious between Criminal prosecution of
parties, (2) Advisory opinions individuals
Subject Matter Sovereignty, boundary Genocide, crimes against
disputes, maritime disputes, humanity, war crimes, crimes of trade, natural resources, human aggression rights, treaty violations, treaty interpretation, and more.
Authorizing States that ratify the U.N. Rome Statute
Legal Mechanism Charter become parties to the ICJ Statute under Article 93. Non-UN member states can also become parties to the ICJ by ratifying the ICJ Statute. Each state must provide consent to any contentious case by explicit agreement, declaration, or treaty clause.
Appeals None. The ICJ decision in a Appeals Chamber. Article 80 of
contentious case is binding the Rome Statute allows upon the parties. If a State retention of an acquitted fails to comply with the defendant pending appeal. judgment, the issue may be taken to the UN Security Council, which has the authority to review, recommend, and decide upon enforcement.
Precedent No stare decisis. Prior case No stare decisis. Prior case
law is persuasive authority. law is persuasive authority.
Online Archives 1946-present 2002-present
Funding UN-funded. Assessed contribution from state parties to the Rome Statute; voluntary contributions from the U.N.; voluntary contributions from governments, international organizations, individuals, corporations and other entities.
Budget 2006-2007 $36.8 million 2007 88.87 million
2008 90.4 million 2009 106.2 million (roughly US$136 million)