International Law, Explained: A Plain-English Guide to the Hague Courts
International law is the body of rules that governs relations between states and, increasingly, the accountability of individuals for the gravest crimes. This guide links to plain-English explainers of the institutions and concepts behind the headlines.
The two courts in The Hague
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) resolves legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions. The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. They are separate institutions with different jobs — see our full ICJ vs ICC explainer.
The core crimes
Three categories dominate international criminal law: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. They overlap but are not the same. Our side-by-side explainer sets out the differences.
How accountability works
The ICC is a court of last resort — it acts only when national courts cannot or will not. That principle is called complementarity. Some crimes can also be tried anywhere under universal jurisdiction. The ICC itself was created by a treaty, the Rome Statute.
Frequently asked questions
Is international law actually enforceable?
Partly. The ICJ’s judgments bind the states involved but rely on the UN Security Council for enforcement. The ICC issues binding arrest warrants but has no police force and depends on member states to make arrests.
What is the difference between the ICJ and the ICC?
The ICJ hears disputes between countries; the ICC prosecutes individual people. See our dedicated ICJ vs ICC explainer.
Primary sources
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