International Court of Justice

American  

noun

1. the chief judicial agency of the United Nations, established in 1945 to decide disputes arising between nations.

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International Court of Justice British  

noun

1. Also called: World Court.  a court established in the Hague to settle disputes brought by nations that are parties to the Statute of the Court

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International Court of Justice Cultural  

1. A division of the United Nations that settles legal disputes submitted to it by member nations. The International Court of Justice, also called the World Court, meets in The Hague, The Netherlands.

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Etymology

Origin of International Court of Justice

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

The International Court of Justice had been asked to deliver a so-called advisory opinion on whether an ILO treaty from 1948, known as Convention 87, implicitly enshrined workers' right to strike.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

In 2019, the International Court of Justice reached a nonbinding decision that the U.K. should give up sovereignty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Cambodia has been a lot more enthusiastic, but then it has always sought to internationalise its dispute with Thailand - referring it to the International Court of Justice - something Thailand does not agree with.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2025

Judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague have been asked for an "advisory opinion" laying out Israel's duty to facilitate aid in Gaza.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

For this reason the League should stipulate that every State must submit all judicial disputes without exception to an International Court of Justice and must abide by the judgment of such Court.

From The League of Nations and its Problems Three Lectures by Oppenheim, L. (Lassa)