INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE

INTERNATIONAL COURTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE (ACJ)

Types of Claims Heard:
The ACJ is an organ of the African Union. The court has yet to become fully operative. The African Union decided in 2005 to merge the ACJ with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). A “Single Legal Instrument” was adopted in April 2008 by the Ministers of Justice; in June 2008 it will be submitted for formal adoption by the Council and the Assembly, and then opened for signature and ratification.

In addition to the ACJ and the ACHPR, Africa has numerous subregional courts. They are listed on the Web site of the African International Courts and Tribunals (http://www.aict-ctia.org).

Address: To be determined when the court is established. In the interim, contact the African Union Headquarters, P.O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Web site:
http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/organs/Court_of_Justice_en.htm

This information was updated May 2008.

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AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (ACHPR)

Types of Claims Heard:
The ACHPR was created by the “Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human And Peoples’ Rights,” adopted in 1998 and which entered into force in 2004. The ACHPR’s purpose is to “complement and reinforce the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights” by providing enforcement authority.

Court Structure and Procedures:
In 2005 the African Union decided to merge the ACHPR with the African Court of Justice (ACJ). A “Single Legal Instrument” was adopted in April 2008 by the Ministers of Justice; in June 2008 it will be submitted for formal adoption by the Council and the Assembly, and then opened for signature and ratification.

In addition to the continental ACJ and the ACHPR, Africa has numerous subregional courts. They are listed on the Web site of the African International Courts and Tribunals (http://www.aict-ctia.org).

The Protocol grants the ACHPR jurisdiction to decide disputes arising under the African Charter, the Protocol, and other human rights instruments ratified by the states. The ACHPR can also render advisory opinions.

Individuals and relevant nongovernmental organizations can only bring claims before the ACHPR if their state has consented at the time it ratified the Protocol. Otherwise, access to the court is limited to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, states that have ratified the Protocol, and African intergovernmental organizations.

Eleven judges chosen from member states comprise the court. One of the judges is president and another is vice president of the court.

Address: African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, P.O. Box 6274, Arusha, Tanzania
Phone: +255-27-2050111
Web site: See http://www.aict-ctia.org

This information was updated May 2008.

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EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ECHR)

Types of Claims Heard:
The ECHR was established by the European Convention on Human Rights, and it hears claims arising from alleged violations of the Convention. The Convention was drafted in 1950 by the Council of Europe in the aftermath of World War II, and it entered into force in 1953. The ECHR is the largest and most successful international court for human rights.

The Convention and its Additional Protocols protect a broad spectrum of human rights including the following: the right to life; a prohibition of torture; a prohibition of slavery and forced labour; the right to liberty and security; the right to a fair trial; no punishment without law; the right to respect for private and family life; freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and association; the right to marry; the right to an effective remedy; a prohibition against discrimination; the protection of property; the right to education; a right to free elections; prohibition of imprisonment for debt; freedom of movement; prohibition of expulsion of nationals; a prohibition against collective expulsion of aliens; procedural safeguards relating to the expulsion of aliens; abolition of the death penalty; a right of appeal in criminal matters; compensation for wrongful conviction; the right not to be tried or punished twice; and equality of rights between spouses. The texts of the Convention and its Additional Protocols are available on the Web site of the ECHR.

Claims are brought against states that have ratified the Convention and its Additional Protocols for state acts in violation of those agreements. A state can be held responsible for a failure to ensure protection of human rights within its jurisdiction.

Article 34 allows individuals, nongovernmental organizations, and groups of individual victims to present claims to the ECHR if the claim meets the admissibility criteria set forth in article 35.
Forty-six countries are now signatories to the Convention, including Russia and several other countries formerly within the Soviet Union.

Court Structure and Procedures:

Each member state selects one judge.

A claimant must exhaust all domestic remedies before applying to the ECHR for relief. Application must be made within six months of the final decision by the affected state.

The claimant must have the claim admitted for consideration. An applicant should send a letter setting forth the essential facts of the claim and request a formal application. When the application has been filed, the court will assign a judge to serve as the rapporteur, who will evaluate the claim to determine whether it is admissible and prepare a report. Based on that report, the Chamber may decide the complaint is inadmissible, or it may seek information and/or comment on the complaint from the respondent state. The applicant is permitted to reply to the state’s comments. The question of admissibility is decided by a panel of judges: either a Committee (3 judges), a Chamber (7 judges), or a Grand Chamber (17 judges).

If the claim is admitted, the court will undertake an investigation of the merits, and the applicant must submit a detailed claim for damages. Interested third parties may be allowed to comment on the proceedings. Settlement possibilities are discussed; and if the matter does not settle, a judgment will issue. A dissatisfied party may seek leave to appeal the judgment to the Grand Chamber.

The court may issue advisory opinions concerning the interpretation of the Convention and the Additional Protocols.

Address: European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe, 67075 Strasbourg-Cedex, France
Web site: http://www.echr.coe.int/echr

  • Resource:
    Helen Mountfield, “Litigation in the European Court of Human Rights,” chapter 19 in International Litigation Strategies and Practice, International Practitioner’s Deskbook Series, edited by Barton Legum. Chicago: American Bar Association, Section of international Law, 2005.

This information was updated May 2008.

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INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS (IACHR)

Types of Claims Heard:
The IACHR was created in 1969 by the American Convention on Human Rights. The Convention entered into force in 1978 after eleven member countries ratified it. The court is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS). The Convention also created the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (referred to as “the Commission”).
The IACHR’s purpose is to apply and interpret the American Convention on Human Rights. The court has jurisdiction over the nations that have adopted the Convention. To date 25 nations have ratified the Convention.

The court both adjudicates claims and issues advisory opinions.

In 1980, an Inter-American Institute of Human Rights also was created, by formal agreement between the court and its host country of Costa Rica.

Court Structure and Procedures:
Individual claimants cannot file directly with the court: they must apply through the Commission. If the Commission accepts the case, it acts as advocate for the claimant. The respondent state is represented by an Agent.

The court has seven judges, selected from member states of the OAS. The court’s internal workings are governed by the Statute of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, adopted by the OAS in 1979. The court also has formally adopted rules of procedure. A Secretary and a Secretariat staff handle the administration of the court.

Address: Inter-American Court of Human Rights, P.O. Box 6906-1000, San José, Costa Rica
Phone: (506) 234-0581
Web site: At the Web site http://www.oas.org/oaspage/humanrights.htm, click on the court’s name.

This information was updated May 2008.

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INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ)

Types of Claims Heard:
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, one of six principal organs in the U.N. The court was established by the U.N. in 1945 and began operations in 1946. It is the successor to the former Permanent Court of International Justice. The ICJ is also referred to as the “World Court.”

The court exclusively hears disputes between sovereign nations. Individuals cannot bring claims or be the subject of claims in proceedings before the ICJ.

All members of the U.N. are automatically parties to the court’s statute, which is incorporated into the U.N. Charter. However, each nation must give consent for the ICJ to hear a particular dispute. A state may consent to jurisdiction in three ways: (1) by the terms of an international treaty, (2) by a special agreement to submit the matter for decision, or (3) through submission of reciprocal declarations.

The court decides “contentious” disputed matters and also issues advisory opinions. Advisory opinions may be requested by administrative organs and specialized agencies of the U.N.

The Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands), where the ICJ has its seat, houses one of the world’s largest public libraries on public international law, and it hosts The Hague Academy of International Law. The Peace Palace is owned and administered by the Carnegie Foundation.

Court Structure and Procedures:
The court has 15 judges who serve nine-year terms. The complaining state party initiates the action by filing an application. Written pleadings are exchanged between the applicant and the respondent state. Various types of interlocutory proceedings may be conducted, including requests for injunctive relief and challenges to jurisdiction. The oral phase of proceedings is then conducted. After the court’s deliberation, the decision is announced at a public hearing. It may take years to reach a judgment from the date of filing. The court’s judgment is final — there is no appeal. If a state fails to comply with the judgment, the complaining party may seek recourse from the U.N. Security Council.

The Registry is the administrative office of the court, headed by the Registrar. Communications to the ICJ should be sent to the Registrar.

A Trust Fund was established in 1989 to assist indigent countries when appearing in ICJ proceedings.

In addition to compliance with the ICJ Statute and Rules of Court, special protocol must be observed in proceedings before the ICJ. The court has issued Practice Directions and the “Blue Book” handbook for the guidance of parties appearing before it.

Address: International Court of Justice, Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, NL-2517 KJ The Hague, The Netherlands
Phone: +31-70-302-2323
Web site: http://www.icj-cij.org

Reference:

  • Pieter H.F. Bekker, “Practice Before the International Court of Justice,” chapter 18 in International Litigation Strategies and Practice, International Practitioner’s Deskbook Series, edited by Barton Legum. Chicago: American Bar Association, Section of International Law, 2005.

This information was updated May 2008.

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INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)

Types of Claims Heard:
The ICC is the first permanent court to hear international criminal claims. It was established by the Rome Statute of 1998, which went into force in 2002 after 60 ratifications were obtained.
The court has jurisdiction over “the most serious crimes” of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, which are all defined in the Rome Statute. It has jurisdiction over crimes committed after July 1, 2002; and the crimes must have been committed by a natural person, not a legal entity such as a corporation. States must consent to jurisdiction unless the matter is referred by the United Nations’ Security Council.

The ICC is a court of last resort that can only take jurisdiction if the national court is unable or unwilling to act. Admissibility of the case is thus a threshold issue that the court determines. Nations are considered to have the primary responsibility for prosecution of international crimes. A state’s unwillingness may be demonstrated by a state’s shielding of the alleged offender, by unreasonable delay, or by a lack of impartiality in the local proceeding. Inability may be shown by the collapse or unavailability of the national judicial system, or by the state’s being “otherwise unable” to carry out the proceeding.

More than 100 nations are parties to the Rome Statute. The United States is not one of them, having revoked the signature of former President Bill Clinton. A concern of the United States is a perceived lack of checks and balances on the ability of the ICC to decide what its own powers and procedures will be.

Victims are given considerable rights in ICC proceedings, including the following:

  • They may attend the proceedings and have their concerns considered.
  • They may be represented by their own counsel and may interrogate witnesses.
  • They may seek monetary compensation from the perpetrator after a conviction.
  • They may seek to have the defendant’s assets preserved pending trial.

The Registry has a Witness Protection and Victims Participation Section. There is also a Unit for Victims within the Office of the Prosecutor to advise prosecutors on taking evidence from victims.

A Trust Fund for Victims was created by the Rome Statute. It advocates for and provides practical assistance to the victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, recognizing that criminal prosecution is only one aspect of justice for victims and survivors. The Trust Fund may provide immediate medical care in critical situations and distribute reparation awards to victims.

The ICC maintains a “Legal Tools Project,” a virtual library of more than 25,000 documents and legal commentaries on international criminal law. These include discussions of the legal requirements to prove, and the means of proving, international crimes. The Legal Tools are offered free of charge and may be accessed through the ICC’s Web site.

The ICC hosts a Visiting Professionals Programme for participants from across the globe.

Court Structure and Procedures:
Overall governance of the court is with the Assembly of States (ASP), each ratifying state having one representative. The ASP elects the judges.

The ICC has four principal organs:

  1. Judicial divisions
    Eighteen judges from states that have ratified the Rome Statute. The judges are divided into the Pre-Trial Division, the Trial Division, and the Appeals Divisions, and their respective Chambers.
  2. The Presidency
    The Presidency is responsible for the overall judicial administration of the court. It consists of a president, a first vice-president, and a second vice-president, who are elected by the 18 judges.
  3. Office of the Prosecutor (OTP)
    An independent organ of the court, the Office of the Prosecutor has cases referred to it by member states or by the U.N. Security Council if there is a threat to international peace and security. Individuals and nongovernmental organizations may also provide information to the OTP. The OTP will conduct a preliminarily investigation; and if the OTP concludes there is a reasonable basis to believe a crime within the ICC’s jurisdiction has occurred, the OTP will seek leave from the court’s Pre-Trial Division to conduct a formal investigation.
    A defendant is presumed innocent and must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
  4. The Registry
    The Registry, headed by the Registrar, manages the nonjudicial administration of the court. Among its roles, the Registry administers legal aid and also victims’ and witnesses’ issues. The Registrar sets the qualifications for counsel to appear before the court, and it maintains the list of counsel eligible to represent indigent defendants.

The defense has no separate organ parallel to the Office of the Prosecutor. The Office of Public Counsel for Defense (OPC) and the Registrar are charged with protecting various rights of the accused. In 2002, private counsel created the International Criminal Bar (ICB) for attorneys representing defendants in ICC proceedings.

In addition to the provisions of the Rome Statute, ICC proceedings are conducted according to The Elements of Crimes, The Regulations of the Court, and The Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

Address: International Criminal Court, Regulusweg, 2516 AB, The Hague, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)70 515 8515
Web site: http://www.icc-cpi.int

References:

  • David Stoelting, “The International Criminal Court: An Overview,” chapter 20 in International Litigation Strategies and Practice, International Practitioner’s Deskbook Series, edited by Barton Legum. Chicago: American Bar Association, Section of International Law, 2005.
  • Joshua Weinstein, “Developing a System of Justice at the International Criminal Court,” California Courts Review (Fall 2007–Winter 2008: 24, http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/ccr.htm.

This information was updated May 2008.

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SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS AND TRIBUNALS

Seven special ad hoc international criminal courts have been established since 1993. These courts are temporary and conflict-specific. Each court addresses a situation in a particular geographic area where widespread international crimes are alleged to have occurred.

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1. EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS IN THE COURTS OF CAMBODIA (ECCC)

Nature of Work:
The ECCC was established at the request of the Cambodian government and with the assistance of the United Nations to prosecute senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime, which held power in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. Approximately 3 million people were killed by the Khmer Rouge in fewer than 4 years.

The ECCC is a “mixed tribunal.” It is part of the Cambodian court system. The tribunal consists of both Cambodian judges and international judges, and both Cambodian and international law are applied.

The organs of the ECCC are as follows: Judicial Chambers, divided into a Pre-trial Chamber; a Trial Chamber; and a Supreme Court Chamber; the office of Co-Prosecutors; the office of Co-Investigating Judges; Defence Support; the Victims Unit; and the Office of Administration.

Victims may participate directly by filing complaints or they may seek to be joined as civil parties.

The ECCC will be dissolved when all trials and appeals are completed.

Address:

  • Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, National Road 4, Chaom Chau Commune, Dangkao District, Phnom Penh
  • P.O. Box 71, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phone: (855) 23-219814
Web site: http://www.eccc.gov.kh

This information was updated May 2008.

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2. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA (ICTY)

Nature of Work:
The ICTY was the first truly international criminal court, established by the United Nations rather than by a victorious party after a war. It was established in 1993 by a resolution of the U.N. Security Council, after evidence surfaced of widespread ethnic cleansing and other abuses of human rights in the former Yugoslavia.

The tribunal typically selects senior leaders to hold accountable. Although the ICTY has concurrent jurisdiction with national courts, it may choose to take precedence. A detention unit is maintained at The Hague. The tribunal also refers cases to national courts through its Referral Bench. Special war crimes prosecutors and courts have been established in several countries within the former Yugoslavia.

The work of the ICTY includes assisting in developing international criminal law. Through training, the ICTY endeavors to strengthen and reform judicial systems and legal bar organizations in the countries that now comprise the former Yugoslavia.

The tribunal’s completion strategy is to conclude its work by 2010, after which it will be dissolved.

Address: International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Churchillplein 1, 2517 JW The Hague, The Netherlands
Phone: +31-70-512-5000
Web site: http://www.un.org/icty/

This information was updated May 2008.

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3. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA (ICTR)

Nature of Work:
In 1994, armed internal conflict erupted between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in Rwanda. It is estimated that half a million Tutsi were killed in the genocide, and hundreds of thousands more were displaced. The United Nations Security Council created the ICTR by resolution in November 1994, under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, and the Tribunal was charged with the purview of prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, and violations of the Geneva Convention that occurred during 1994. The Tribunal is a subsidiary organ of the Security Council under article 29 of the Charter.

The Tribunal has concurrent jurisdiction with national courts, although it may choose to take precedence. The Statute of the International Tribunal for Rwanda requires members of the U.N. to cooperate by identifying and arresting accused persons and surrendering custody of them to the Tribunal. A detention unit is maintained at Arusha, Tanzania. Indigent defendants receive legal counsel through a legal aid program.

A Witnesses and Victims Support Section provides security for witnesses and their families, both during the proceedings and after trial, and it also provides medical and psychological support services.

Numerous cases that involved high-ranking officials implicated in the genocide have been tried to judgment before the ICTR. Important issues of international criminal law are being clarified through these proceedings.

The Tribunal may choose to refer cases to state courts. Its completion strategy is to conclude all investigations, trials, and appeals by 2010.

Address:

  • International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Arusha: Arusha International Conference Centre, P.O. Box 6016, Arusha, Tanzania
  • The ICTR Office, The Hague: Churchillplein 1, 2517 JW, The Hague, The Netherlands

Phone:

  • Tribunal in Arusha, Tanzania: +255-27-2505000 / 2565062
  • Office in the Hague: +31 (0)70-512-5027

Web site: http://www.ictr.org

This information was updated May 2008.

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4. “REGULATION 64” PANELS IN THE COURTS OF KOSOVO

Nature of Work:
Following allegations of atrocities between Serbian and Albanian residents in Kosovo, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was established in 1999 to provide civilian administration. After allegations that the new Albanian-dominated judiciary was unfairly applying the law, UNMIK began appointing a few international jurists onto Kosovo courts. The international jurists had equal jurisdiction with the Kosovian judges and applied Kosovo law. However, the international judges continued to be outvoted on the multijudge panels and concerns about fairness persisted. In 2000, UNMIK took the further step of adopting Regulation 64, which allowed that, for particular cases, upon petition, three-judge panels will be constituted, including at least two international judges. Regulation 64 also established independent international prosecutors for those panels. A further regulation gave international prosecutors the ability to resurrect closed cases.

More than two dozen war crime trials have been conducted by Regulation 64 panels.

Address: Contact UNMIK, Mission Headquarters, Shop 1-3, Pristina, Kosovo
Phone: +381 (0) 38 504 604 (UNMIK)
Web site: contact UNMIK at http://www.unmikonline.org

This information was updated May 2008.

Reference:

  • Michael E. Hartmann, “International Judges and Prosecutors in Kosovo: A New Model for Post-Conflict Peacekeeping.” Special Report No. 112 (October 2003). Available on the Web site of the United States Institute of Peace, http://www.usip.org/pubs/reports.html.

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5. SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE (SCLS)

Nature of Work:
The SCLS has the responsibility of bringing to trial those persons with the greatest responsibility for war crimes committed in Sierra Leone since November 30, 1996. It was created in 2002 by a Special Court Agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations. The SCLS is a hybrid court, comprised of both local and international judges, and it applies both international law and the law of Sierra Leone.

The prosecutions brought include one against Charles Taylor, the former president of neighboring Liberia. Links his the trial proceedings at The Hague are available on the SCLS Web site.

The organs of the court include the following: the Appeals Chamber, Trial Chamber I (Freetown), Trial Chamber II (The Hague), the Registry, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the Defence Office. Internships are available.

Address:

  • Sierra Leone: The Special Court for Sierra Leone, Jomo Kenyatta Road, New England, Freetown, Sierra Leone
  • The Hague: Binckhorstlaan 400, 2516BL Den Haag, The Netherlands
  • New York: The Special Court for Sierra Leone, 866 U.N. Plaza, Room A 333, New York, NY10017

Phone:

  • Freetown: +232-22-297000Â
  • The Hague: +31-70-515-9750
  • New York:+1-12-963-3327

Web site: http://www.sc-sl.org

This information was updated May 2008.

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6. SPECIAL PANELS OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF DILI (EAST TIMOR TRIBUNAL)

Nature of Work:
The Special Panels for Serious Crimes was created in 2000 by the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) to investigate and prosecute crimes arising out of Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor in 1975 and the subsequent 24-year occupation of East Timor. In particular, UNTAET was charged with investigating and prosecuting crimes related to the election of 1999 when the East Timorese voted for independence under a U.N. referendum.

This hybrid court was composed of both international judges and East Timorian judges. More than 50 trials were conducted, with a high rate of convictions. Some trials could not go forward because Indonesia refused to extradite accused individuals.

After several years of activity, the Special Panels for Serious Crimes ceased receiving U.N. funds.

Address: The court was situated in Dili, the capital of East Timor
Phone: N/A
Web site: N/A

This information was updated May 2008.

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7. WAR CRIMES CHAMBERS (WCC) IN SARAJEVO — WITHIN THE STATE COURT OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (Court of BiH)

Nature of Work:
The WCC supplements the war crimes work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for crimes that occurred during the armed conflict of 1992 to 1995. Established in 2005, the WCC receives case referrals from the ICTY, usually relating to intermediary- and lower-level accused. The WCC also has jurisdiction over cases initiated by local prosecutors. It is a hybrid court composed of international and local judges, although it operates as part of the State Court of Bosnia. The WCC is expected to continue in operation after the ICTY concludes its proceedings, which is now targeted to be in 2010.

Address: Court of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Sud Bosne i Hercegovine, Kraljice Jelene 88, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Phone: 00387-(0)-33-707-100
Web site: http://www.sudbih.gov.ba

This information was updated May 2008.

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PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION (PCA)

Types of Claims Heard:
The PCA is perhaps the oldest international dispute resolution organization: in 1899, it was established by treaty at the first Hague Peace Conference, which was convened at the initiative of Czar Nicholas II of Russia. More than 100 nations are members of the PCA.

The PCA is not actually a court, and it has no sitting judiciary. Instead, it provides a permanent administrative framework for parties who wish to use its services for arbitration, conciliation, and fact-finding. It provides registry services and legal and administrative support for disputes between states, state entities, intergovernmental organizations, and also private parties. The disputes have included human rights matters, treaty and territory claims, and business conflicts. Hearing facilities are available. The PCA uses the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

The publishing arm of the PCA has produced a number of works, including two on the resolution of mass claims:

Howard M. Holtzmann and Edda Kristjánsdóttir, eds., International Mass Claims Processes: Legal and Practical Perspectives, New York: Oxford University Press—USA, 2007.

International Bureau of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, ed., Redressing Injustices through Mass Claims Processes: Innovative Responses to Unique Challenges, New York: Oxford University Press—USA, 2006.

Court Structure and Procedures:

The PCA has a three-part structure:

  1. The Administrative Council, which oversees administrative policy and budgets.
  2. The Members of the Court, a panel of independent potential arbitrators.
  3. The Secretariat, known as the International Bureau, which is headed by the Secretary-General.

A Financial Assistance Fund assists developing countries with costs. The PCA offers an internship program.

Address: Permanent Court of Arbitration, Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague, The Netherlands
Phone: +31-70-302-4165
Web site: http://www.pca-cpa.org

This information was updated May 2008.

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RESOURCES ON INTERNATIONAL COURTS

  • The Project on International Courts and Tribunals (PICT). http://www.pict-pcti.org
  • International Litigation Strategies and Practice, International Practitioner’s Deskbook Series, edited by Barton Legum. Chicago: American Bar Association, Section of International Law, 2005.

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