The advisory function of the international court of justice 1946 - 2005

Abstract

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the advisory role of the International Court of Justice in light of its jurisprudence and overall contribution over a period of more than 55 years. The author highlights the "organic connection" between UN organs and the Court and the Court's contribution as one of the UN's principal organs to the Organisation. The basic argument of this study is that the advisory function should be understood as a two-sided process involving the interplay between UN organs and the ICJ. The request for and the giving of an advisory opinion is a collective coordinated process, involving more than one organ or part of the Organisation. The author concludes that the Court's role as a participant in the UN's work is circumscribed by its duty to act judicially. In practice, the Court has succeeded in establishing a balance between its role as a principal organ of the UN and its position as a judicial institution with a duty to administer justice impartially. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.