International Court of Justice

International Court of Justice, highest judicial organ of the United Nations, founded in 1946 to provide a peaceful means of settling international disputes according to the principles of international law. Like its predecessor under the League of Nations, the World Court, it sits at The Hague, the Netherlands. In practice its authority is limited by frequent refusals of various states to accept its decisions.

See also: Hague, The; International law; United Nations.