International Court of Justice (ICJ)

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195 Articles

Proving Genocide: Genocidal Intent and Other Aims

In Gambia v. Myanmar, genocidal intent coexists with other aims, revealed through conduct or official statements, showing how destruction of a group can serve broader goals.
EU and Ukrainian flags fly in the wind in front of the Berlaymont, the EU Commission headquarter for the 4th year anniversary of the full scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, on February 23, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

Toward A Just and Lawful Peace in Ukraine: Part II

As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, international lawyers must keep insisting that law be injected into diplomacy and accountability into power politics.
Exterior view of the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, a large white and tan multi-story building with rows of windows and the ICRC flag on the roof, under a clear blue sky.

Closing Loopholes Across Time: the ICRC’s New Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention

​The ICRC's updated Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention fills a loophole-closing function and reasserts international humanitarian law's core protective purpose.
Close-up of a wooden judge’s gavel resting on a sound block in front of stacked law books, symbolizing law, justice, and court proceedings.​

Looking Forward: What Can Courts Do and When

Given international courts current role and relevant limitations in ending wars, how can courts play a more meaningful role in ending war, or in preventing a return to war?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of the Convention Establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crimes of Aggression Against Ukraine at the Hague on December 16, 2025 (via Council of Europe Media Gallery)

Toward A Just and Lawful Peace in Ukraine: Part I

A review of what law and lawyers have contributed toward the goal of a just and lawful peace in Ukraine over the past four years.
International Court of Justice chambers.

Symposium: Is There a Role for International Courts in Ending Wars?

Judicial involvement in ongoing armed conflicts should be examined from multiple vantage points: courts, victims, parties to conflict, and broader goals of peace and security.
Wide shot of the International Court of Justice courtroom, with judges seated in a row behind a long elevated bench beneath a large mural, and rows of delegates and observers seated at desks facing the bench, listening to ongoing proceedings.

Courts in Wartime: A Level Playing Field for Peace

Although international courts have limits, they can do what few other peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms can when it comes to ending war.
Wooden judge’s gavel lies next to a small globe on a reflective surface, symbolizing international justice and the global reach of legal decisions.

Suspend Your Judgment? The Role of International Courts in Ending Wars

When international courts intervene in active wars, they must contend with how (and whether) they can contribute to ending wars and shape the post-war aftermath. 
Bronze Lady Justice statue with balanced scales stands beside a wooden judge’s gavel resting on a law book, in front of a stack of legal volumes on a dark background.

When the Warning Bells Ring: Judicial Awareness in War

By heeding the warning bells and embracing a do‑no‑harm principle, international courts can denounce abuse while preserving the credibility of international justice.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures while walking away from the International Criminal Court building in The Hague during his first visit to the Netherlands on May 4, 2023.

Assessing the ICC’s Impact in Ukraine

An analysis of the ICC’s warrants against Putin and Lvova-Belova, exploring their real impact on diplomacy, deterrence, and justice in Ukraine.
3D rendering of the scales of justice and a wooden gavel on a desk (via Getty Images).

International Criminal Court Intervention in Civil Wars: A Tradeoff Between Atrocity Prevention and Peace

Although ICC intervention does appear to deter atrocities, on balance, its involvement in ongoing civil wars fails to facilitate peaceful settlement in most cases.
Close-up of a bronze Lady Justice statue holding balanced scales in front of a blurred modern office background, symbolizing fairness and the law.

International Human Rights and Criminal Courts and the End of War

The relationship between international courts and States shapes how they provide accountability, build peace, and respond to backlash.
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