International Dispute Settlement and Justice: Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• Dispute: Opposite legal or factual claims requiring proof of existence.
• Jurisdiction depends on dispute existence, communication, and acceptance.
• Main settlement methods: friendly negotiations, arbitration, judicial decisions.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ) applies international law; can decide ex aequo et bono agreed.
• Sovereignty and consent are fundamental; limits State liability and jurisdiction.
• Arbitration is flexible, consent-based, and decisions are binding.
• International courts include ICJ, regional courts (ECHR, Inter-American), and specialized tribunals (ICC, investment tribunals).
• Enforcement relies on political will, prior consent, and cooperation.
• Fragmented system; no unified global justice mechanism.
• Common types: inter-State, investor-State, private, environmental, criminal, family.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components