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International law is the body of legal rules that apply

between sovereign states and such other entities as have been granted

international personality (status acknowledged by the international

community). The rules of international law are of a normative

character, that is, they prescribe towards conduct, and are

potentially designed for authoritative interpretation by an

international judicial authority and by being capable of enforcement

by the application of external sanctions. The International Court of

Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, which

succeeded the Permanent Court of International Justice after World

War II. Article 92 of the charter of the United Nations states:



The International Court of justice shall be the principal

judicial organ of the United nations. It shall function in accordance

with the annexed Statute, which is based upon the Statute of the

Permanent court of International Justice and forms an integral part of

the present Charter.



The commands of international law must be those that the

states impose upon themselves, as states must give consent to the

commands that they will follow. It is a direct expression of raison

d'etat, the "interests of the state", and aims to serve the state, as

well as protect the state by giving its rights and duties. This is

done through treaties and other consensual engagements which are

legally binding.



The case-law of the ICJ is an important aspect of the UN's

contribution to the development of international law. It's judgements

and advisory opinions...