United Nations Information

legal questions referred to the International Court of Justice by duly authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

legal disputes submitted to the International Court of Justice by States

The Court, which is composed of 15 judges, has a dual role: in accordance with international law, settling legal disputes between States submitted to it by them and giving advisory opinions on legal matters referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

As the United Nations has immunity from local jurisdiction and cannot be sued in a national court, the Organization has set up an internal justice system to resolve staff-management disputes, including those that involve disciplinary action.