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International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Issue:

 

Other information:

 

ICJ Request Form

 

Directors:

Zach Sikkema

Year: 2012
Major: Political Science
Fact: I am an avid gofer
Email: Zachary.sikkema@hope.edu

Will DeBoer

Year:2014
Major: Political Science and Communication
Fact: I can name the result of every World Series
Email: william.deboer@hope.edu
zack
will


The International Court of Justice is the principle judicial body of the United Nations. Headquartered at the Hague in the Netherlands, this organ acts as a world court. By referring to international law, the Court settles disputes between States and gives advisory opinions on legal issues presented to it by other UN organs and agencies. The General Assembly and Security Council, voting separately, elect fifteen judges who serve terms of nine years (five justices selected every three years) and may be reelected. No two judges may be nationals of the same state, and the Court must represent the main forms of legal systems and societies of the world.

The Hope College Model UN International Court of Justice considers one case per year. Each country has one justice who will hear the case. Each country who is a party must have two lawyers. All participants are required to attend the opening session held on Thursday. During this session, time will be allocated for lawyer teams to meet and for judges to conduct any necessary research. Throughout Friday morning and afternoon, the hearing will take place and final rulings will be administered.

Briefing

In November 19, 2010, Costa Rica filed a complaint against Nicaragua with the International Court of Justice. The Costa Rican government complained of Nicaraguan military activity in a border region between the two nations. The Nicaraguans have been dredging the San Juan River, but have allegedly been dumping the silt on the Southern (Costa Rican) banks of the river. The actions of the Nicaraguan military are also allegedly connected to a canal which is purportedly being built from the San Juan River (the natural border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua) and the Laguna los Portillos. This would alter the course of the river, potentially impacting the protected wildlife reserves in Costa Rica and the Costa Rican fishing industry on the river. Both Costa Rica and Nicaragua have made claims of legitimacy to possessing the territory. The court has issued a statement mandating that no troops be allowed in the disputed territory. This is not the first dispute between these two nations; there have been border conflicts between the two nearly since their independence from Spain. The two countries are currently preparing their initial pleadings. Costa Rica’s initial Memorial will be submitted on December 5, 2011, and Nicaragua’s Counter-Memorial will be submitted on August 6, 2012.

Questions to Consider:

 

Helpful Sources:

http://www.haguejusticeportal.net/eCache/DEF/12/291.html

http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=3&code=crn&case=150&k=ec
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Holland, MI 49423 | mun@hope.edu | phone: 616.395.7545