Settling international disputes

Handing down major judicial settlements

Description

Settling international disputes involves structured negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or adjudication to resolve conflicts between states or international actors. The essential action is to provide peaceful, rule-based mechanisms that address grievances, clarify misunderstandings, and implement binding or voluntary agreements. This strategy aims to prevent escalation, reduce tensions, and ensure fair outcomes, thereby remedying the risks of violence, instability, and prolonged discord that can arise from unresolved international disagreements.

Implementation

By giving judgements and advisory opinions, the International Court of Justice has helped settle international disputes involving territorial issues, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, diplomatic relations, hostage-taking, the right of asylum, rights of passage and economic rights.