Mysuru: A delegation from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN), visited Mysuru Law Courts Complex and Malalavadi Courts Complex on Sept. 1.

The delegation included Justice Leonardo Nemer Caldeira Brant, a Brazilian jurist and international law scholar, his spouse Joyce Costa and senior officials of the ICJ.

They were received and felicitated by Principal District and Sessions Judge Usha Rani, District Legal Services Authority Member-Secretary Nagraj Siddappa Ankasadoddi, Judges of Mysuru city, Mysore Bar Association President S. Lokesh and office-bearers of the Association.

During the visit, Justice Brant gathered information about India’s judicial system and shared insights into the functioning of the ICJ. He also appreciated Mysuru’s heritage and described it as a culturally rich city.

The ICJ, headquartered at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, was established in June 1945 under the UN Charter and began functioning in April 1946. It settles legal disputes between States under international law and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and specialised agencies.

The Court has 15 independent Judges, elected for nine-year terms, with the possibility of re-election. No two Judges can be from the same country. Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, while English and French are its official languages.

The ICJ deals with contentious cases involving disputes between sovereign States, as well as advisory opinions sought by UN organs. Its judgements are final and without appeal and are binding on the parties involved in a particular case.

ICJ does not have direct enforcement powers. If a State fails to comply with a judgement, the matter can be taken to UN Security Council, which may recommend measures for compliance.