How the International Court of Justice Decided on cases of non liquet

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant professor, Sciences and Researches Branch of Tehran

2 P.H.D of International Law, Allameh Tabataba'i University

Abstract

Some of the decisions and opinions of International Court of Justice have raised the question whether The Court can refuse to make a decision by declaring non liquet for reasons such as lack of clarification, adequacy or lack of applicable law? Some experts provide a positive answer to this question with reference to The Court's opinion in paragraph 105(2)(e) of the advisory opinion on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons (1996). Given the crucial role of The Court in resolving the disputes as an effective means of peaceful dispute settlement between states, which undoubtedly contribute towards the maintenance of international peace and security, it would appear that the Court could not refuse to make a decision by declaring non liquet. The main question that this article deals with is whether, in accordance with the statute, rules and principles applicable in The Court as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, and in accordance with its case law, The Court may refuse to make a decision by declaring non liquet?

Keywords


 
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