Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization
Overview of the case
The Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) (now the International Maritime Organization (IMO)) comprises, among other organs, an Assembly and a Maritime Safety Committee. Under the terms of Article 28 (a) of the Convention for the establishment of the organization, this Committee consists of 14 members elected by the Assembly from the members of the organization having an important interest in maritime safety, “of which not less than eight shall be the largest ship-owning nations”. When, on 15 January 1959, the IMCO Assembly, for the first time, proceeded to elect the members of the Committee, it elected neither Liberia nor Panama, although those two States were among the eight members of the organization which possessed the largest registered tonnage. Subsequently, the Assembly decided to ask the Court whether the Maritime Safety Committee had been constituted in accordance with the Convention for the establishment of the organization. In its Advisory Opinion of 8 June 1960, the Court replied to this question in the negative.
This overview is provided for information only and in no way involves the responsibility of the Court.
Request for Advisory Opinion
Written proceedings
Oral proceedings
Minutes of the Public Hearings held at the Peace Palace, The Hague, from 26 April to 4 May and on 8 June 1960, the President, Mr. Klaestad, presiding
Available in:
Original Language
Other documents
Orders
Advisory opinions
Summaries of Advisory Opinions and Orders
Summary of the Advisory Opinion of 8 June 1960
Available in:
English
French
Press releases
26 March 1959
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - The Assembly of Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization submits to the Court a request for an advisory opinion
Available in:
English
French
20 August 1959
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - The States Members of the International Maritime Consultative Organization as well as that Organization itself are considered likely to be able to furnish information on the question
Available in:
English
French
28 December 1959
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - List of the governments from which the Court has received written statements or communications
Available in:
English
French
21 March 1960
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - The hearings will begin on Tuesday, 26 April 1960
Available in:
English
French
25 April 1960
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - Representatives of the States participating in the oral proceedings
Available in:
English
French
26 April 1960
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - Hearing of 26 April 1960
Available in:
English
French
29 April 1960
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - Hearings of 26 to 29 April 1960
Available in:
English
French
4 May 1960
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - Hearings of 2 to 4 May 1960
Available in:
English
French
6 June 1960
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - The Court will deliver its Advisory Opinion on 8 June 1960
Available in:
English
French
8 June 1960
Constitution of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization - Advisory Opinion
Available in:
English
French
Correspondence
