Nuclear Tests (Australia v. France)

OVERVIEW OF THE CASE

On 9 May 1973, Australia and New Zealand each instituted proceedings against France concerning tests of nuclear weapons which France proposed to carry out in the atmosphere in the South Pacific region. France stated that it considered the Court manifestly to lack jurisdiction and refrained from appearing at the public hearings or filing any pleadings. By two Orders of 22 June 1973, the Court, at the request of Australia and New Zealand, indicated provisional measures to the effect, inter alia , that pending judgment France should avoid nuclear tests causing radioactive fall-out on Australian or New Zealand territory. By two Judgments delivered on 20 December 1974, the Court found that the Applications of Australia and New Zealand no longer had any object and that it was therefore not called upon to give any decision thereon. In so doing the Court based itself on the conclusion that the objective of Australia and New Zealand had been achieved inasmuch as France, in various public statements, had announced its intention of carrying out no further atmospheric nuclear tests on the completion of the 1974 series.


This overview is provided for information only and in no way involves the responsibility of the Court.

Institution of proceedings


Written proceedings

23 November 1973
Procedure(s):Questions of jurisdiction and/or admissibility
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Oral proceedings

Verbatim record 1973 (bilingual version)
Oral Arguments on the Request for the Indication of Interim Measures of Protection - Minutes of the Public Sittings held at the Peace Palace, The Hague, on 21, 22, 23 and 25 May 1973, President Lachs presiding, and on 22 June 1973, Vice-President Ammoun presiding
Procedure(s):Provisional measures
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Verbatim record 1974 (bilingual version)
Oral arguments on Jurisdiction and Admissibility - Minutes of the public sittings held at the Peace Palace, The Hague, on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11 July and 20 December 1974, President Lachs presiding
Procedure(s):Questions of jurisdiction and/or admissibility
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Other documents


Orders

Extension of time-limits: Memorial and Counter-Memorial
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Judgments


Summaries of Judgments and Orders

Summary of the Order of 22 June 1973
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Summary of the Judgment of 20 December 1974
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Press releases

Press release 1973/11 (French version only)
17 May 1973
Essais nucléaires - La France n'accepte pas la juridiction de la Cour (French version only)
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Press release 1973/12 (French version only)
17 May 1973
Essais nucléaires - Les audiences s'ouvriront le lundi 21 mai à 15 heures (French version only)
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Press release 1973/13 (French version only)
18 May 1973
Essais nucléaires - Composition des délégations (French version only)
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Press release 1973/15 (French version only)
25 May 1973
Essais nucléaires - Audiences du 21 au 25 mai 1973 (French version only)
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Press release 1973/21 (French version only)
20 June 1973
Essais nucléaires - Le rendu des décisions de la Cour sur les demandes en indication de mesures conservatoires aura lieu le vendredi 22 juin 1973 (French version only)
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Press release 1973/22 (French version only)
22 June 1973
Essais nucléaires (Australie c. France) - La Cour internationale de Justice indique des mesures conservatoires (French version only)
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Press release 1973/28 (French version only)
12 July 1973
Essais nucléaires - Requêtes à fin d'intervention (French version only)
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Press release 1973/30 (French version only)
8 August 1973
Essais nucléaires - Déclarations publiées dans la presse (French version only)
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Press release 1973/31 (French version only)
29 August 1973
Suite de la procédure dans l'affaire des Essais nucléaires (Australie c. France) (French version only)
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Press release 1974/2 (French version only)
26 March 1974
Essais nucléaires (Australie c. France) - Résolution adoptée le 21 mars 1974 (French version only)
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Press release 1974/4 (French version only)
24 June 1974
Essais nucléaires - Début des audiences le jeudi 4 juillet 1974 (French version only)
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Press release 1974/6 (French version only)
9 July 1974
Essais nucléaires - Composition des délégations (French version only)
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Press release 1974/7 (French version only)
11 July 1974
Essais nucléaires - Audiences des 10 et 11 juillet 1974 (French version only)
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Press release 1974/11 (French version only)
16 December 1974
La Cour rendra ses arrêts dans les deux affaires des Essais nucléaires le vendredi 20 décembre 1974 à 15 heures (French version only)
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Press release 1974/12 (French version only)
20 December 1974
Essais nucléaires (Australie c. France) - Arrêt de la Cour (French version only)
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Correspondence

9 May 1973
Correspondence
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