In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICJ has adopted measures to ensure the continuous fulfilment of its mandate

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague, Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)70 302 2323 Fax: +31 (0)70 364 9928
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Press Release
Unofficial
No. 2020/9
20 March 2020
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICJ has adopted measures
to ensure the continuous fulfilment of its mandate
THE HAGUE, 20 March 2020. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Court
of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has adopted a series of measures
to help contain the spread of the virus and to protect the health and well-being of its judges and
staff members and their families, while at the same time ensuring that it can continue to fulfil its
mandate. The measures are in line with the recommendations of the United Nations and the
authorities of the host country, the Netherlands.
As part of these measures, there will be no hearings or meetings of the Court in March and at
least until 16 April.
It has also been decided to suspend all official travel of Members of the Court and Registry
staff, to cancel all visits and to implement teleworking, thus reducing to a minimum the physical
presence of staff at the Peace Palace, the seat of the ICJ. Members of the Court and Registry staff
have also been requested to avoid private travel out of the duty station (The Hague).
The adopted measures will be subject to review as the situation develops. Relevant
information will be published on the Court’s website (press releases) and on social media.
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Note: The Court’s press releases are prepared by its Registry for information purposes only
and do not constitute official documents.
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The International Court of Justice (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 Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). 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.
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Information Department:
Mr. Andrey Poskakukhin, First Secretary of the Court, Head of Department (+31 (0)70 302 2336) Ms Joanne Moore, Information Officer (+31 (0)70 302 2337) Mr. Avo Sevag Garabet, Associate Information Officer (+31 (0)70 302 2394) Ms Genoveva Madurga, Administrative Assistant (+31 (0)70 302 2396)