ICJ Headquarters: Address, Location, Contact Number, Email Id

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Created by the UN Charter in 1945 and beginning its work in 1946, the Court settles legal disputes submitted by States and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies. It is not a criminal court for prosecuting individuals, and it should not be confused with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is a separate institution.

The ICJ is seated in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. The Court’s Registry, judges’ offices, courtrooms and key administrative functions operate from this historic complex. People may need the headquarters details for official correspondence, academic or media enquiries, court visits, procurement matters or practical information about public sittings. The sections below give the official address, telephone number, email contacts and useful guidance on approaching the Court through the correct channel.

Quick About ICJ Headquarters

ICJ Headquarters Address

The International Court of Justice is based at the Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague, Netherlands. The Court’s official contact page uses this address for correspondence. Anyone writing to the ICJ should address the relevant department or the Registry where appropriate and should note that the Court asks correspondence to be submitted in one of its two official languages, English or French.

ICJ Headquarters Location

The Peace Palace is in The Hague, the Netherlands’ centre for many international legal and diplomatic institutions. It houses the International Court of Justice and also accommodates other international-law institutions and facilities. The ICJ’s presence in the Peace Palace is therefore part of a wider legal district, but visitors should distinguish Court business from the separate visitor and museum activities managed for the Peace Palace complex.

• Area: Carnegieplein in The Hague.
• Building: the Peace Palace, an internationally recognised centre for law and arbitration.
• Rail access: The Hague Centraal is the city’s main railway hub; local tram, bus or taxi services provide onward connections.
• Visitor access: public access depends on the purpose, security arrangements and whether a public sitting or authorised visit is taking place.
• Language for correspondence: the Court asks that correspondence be in English or French.

ICJ Headquarters Contact Number

The Court’s official general telephone number is +31 70 302 23 23. This is the main headquarters contact number, but some services publish their own departmental telephone details. The general number should not be treated as a legal-advice helpline; the Court does not provide personal legal advice or decide private disputes between individuals and organisations.

ICJ Headquarters Email Id and Online Contact

For general information and media-related matters, the ICJ publishes information@icj-cij.org for its Information Department. The Court also lists separate contacts for its Library and Procurement section. There is no reason to send every type of correspondence to the Information Department; formal case-related documents and communications are governed by the Court’s Statute, Rules and Registry procedures.

• Information Department: information@icj-cij.org.
• Formal Court correspondence: follow the procedure and address specified by the Registry or in the relevant case documentation.
• Library requests: use the dedicated Library contact shown on the ICJ website.
• Procurement matters: use the dedicated Procurement contact rather than the media or information email.
• Official languages: English and French are the Court’s official languages for correspondence.

How to Reach ICJ Headquarters

• By Train: arrive at The Hague Centraal and continue to the Peace Palace by local public transport or taxi.
• By Tram or Bus: The Hague has an extensive local public-transport network serving the central and international districts; check the current local route before travelling.
• By Taxi: use “Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2” as the destination to avoid confusion with other courts and international organisations in The Hague.
• For a public sitting: check the Court’s current practical information and hearing notice because entry arrangements and capacity can vary.
• For tourism: guided tours and museum access relate to the Peace Palace and may follow separate visitor arrangements from ICJ proceedings.

ICJ Headquarters vs ICC Headquarters

When Should You Contact ICJ Headquarters?

• You need general information about the Court, its work or public proceedings.
• You are a journalist or media organisation contacting the Information Department.
• You have been directed by official Court documentation to communicate with the Registry or another department.
• You have a legitimate Library or Procurement enquiry and are using the relevant official contact.
• You need practical information connected with an announced public sitting or authorised visit.

Important Points Before Contacting the ICJ

• Do not confuse the ICJ with the International Criminal Court, the European Court of Human Rights or national courts.
• The ICJ does not act as a general appeal court for individuals who disagree with a domestic judgment.
• Use English or French for correspondence to the Court.
• For case-related matters, follow formal Registry procedures rather than sending documents to a media email address.
• Check the official ICJ website for current hearing, visitor and security information before travelling to the Peace Palace.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the ICJ Headquarters located at the United Nations Headquarters in New York?

No. Although the ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, its permanent seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. This makes it the only principal UN organ whose main seat is not in New York.

2. Is the International Court of Justice the same as the International Criminal Court?

No. The ICJ mainly resolves legal disputes between States and gives advisory opinions. The ICC is a separate court that deals with the criminal responsibility of individuals for certain international crimes. Both are based in The Hague, but they have different legal foundations, jurisdictions and addresses.

3. Can an individual file a case directly before the ICJ?

No. Individuals, companies and non-governmental organisations cannot bring contentious cases directly before the ICJ. Contentious cases are between States that meet the Court’s jurisdictional requirements. Individuals seeking legal remedies generally need to use the appropriate national or other international mechanism.

4. Can members of the public attend ICJ hearings?

Many ICJ hearings are public, but access is subject to the Court’s arrangements, available seating and security requirements. Anyone planning to attend should read the notice for the specific sitting and the current practical information on the Court’s official website before travelling.

5. What should be sent to information@icj-cij.org?

The Information Department address is suitable for general information and media-related enquiries about the Court. It is not a substitute for formal Registry procedures, legal filings or procurement and library contacts. Messages should clearly state the sender, organisation if applicable, and the purpose of the enquiry.