You are on page 1of 3

Comparison of the ICJ and the

ICC
Posted on January 28, 2009 by Renee Dopplick

Background Fact Sheet

Comparison of the ICJ and the ICC

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)

You might also like