The Honorable Charles N. Brower was recently appointed by the United States of America to sit as Judge ad hoc at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also widely known as “the World Court,” in two cases against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2014, he was appointed Judge ad hoc by the Republic of Colombia in a case against Nicaragua. Only four Americans have ever been appointed as ICJ Judges ad hoc.
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945 and began its activities in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York. The Court has a twofold role: first, to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to It by States (its judgments have binding force and are without appeal for the parties concerned); and, second, to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies of the system. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations.
Additional cases about Judge Brower’s cases can be accessed below.
Certain Iranian Assets (Islamic Republic of Iran v. United States of America)