Abstract
<jats:p>This textbook goes beyond a straightforward account of the International Court of Justice. At its heart lies a deeper question: does the work of the ICJ retain meaningful relevance for the world community, and if so, does it do so despite the emerging dynamics of a multipolar world order, or perhaps precisely because of them? To answer that question, the book takes a deliberately judicial approach. The bulk of its pages are devoted to the close examination of some of the most significant cases in the Court’s entire history, including those of its predecessor, the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ). In doing so, it uncovers what are often the best-kept secrets of this venerable institution: its actual judgments, and what they reveal about the evolution of international law across the decades. Three chapters structure the work around the Court’s past, present, and future. The opening chapter traces the history of the ICJ from its institutional roots, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and the PCIJ, through the exceptional and often turbulent arc of the twentieth century. Written in accessible language, it introduces readers to the Court’s main functions, its composition, and its structure, offering a nuanced portrait of an institution that came of age during one of history’s most consequential periods. The cases examined in the two subsequent chapters were selected through a rigorous process involving a broad pool of experienced international lawyers. In total, fourteen cases and one Advisory Opinion are analysed, proceedings that have already shaped the international legal order and are likely to continue doing so in matters of considerable consequence.</jats:p>