The International Court of Justice is the principal Judicial Organ of the United Nations. In this context, explain the following:

(a) Its Composition

(b) Its Compulsory Jurisdiction

(c) Its Voluntary Jurisdiction

(d) Its Advisory Function

(a) Composition of the International Court of Justice is as follows:

1. It is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each other.
2. It may not include more than one judge from any nationality.
3. Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-elected.
4. The Court elects its President and Vice-President for a three-year term. They may, when their term expires, be re-elected.
5. The Court has the power to appoint its Registrar.

(b) The International Court of Justice has Compulsory Jurisdiction in the following areas:

1. Against the background that a large number of treaties provide that disputes are submitted to the Court.
2. Disputes pertaining to the interpretation of international law.
3. Reparation, i.e., compensation to be made for the breach of an international obligation.

(c) Voluntary Jurisdiction — The Court is competent to entertain a dispute if the states concerned agree to take the issue to it.

(d) Advisory Function — The advisory procedure of the International Court of Justice is open solely to international organisations.

1. The only bodies at present authorised to request advisory opinions of the Court are five organs of the United Nations and 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations family.
2. Between 1946 to 2005, the Court has given 25 Advisory Opinions, concerning reparation for injuries suffered in the service of the United Nations, territorial status of South-West Africa and Western Sahara, etc.