ICJ - Composition & Judges

The composition and qualification requirements of ICJ judges are set out in the Statute of the ICJ.

• Composition (Article 3(1)): The Court consists of 15 members (judges), no two of whom may be nationals of the same state.
• Qualifications (Article 2): Judges must be independent persons elected regardless of nationality, qualified either for appointment to the highest judicial offices in their own country or recognized as jurisconsults of competence in international law — both criteria are acceptable routes.
• Character requirements: A candidate must be qualified for the highest judicial offices, of high moral character, and independent.
• Term of Office (Article 13(1)): Judges are elected for 9 years and may be re-elected; 5 judges retire every 3 years (staggered renewal).
• Special circumstance (Article 13): Members may be elected under certain circumstances specified in the article (e.g., to fill an unexpired term).
• Nature of office: Elective — judges are elected independently by the General Assembly and Security Council from a list prepared by National Groups of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.