The Permanent Court of International Justice and Domestic Courts: A Variation in Roles

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Permanent Court of Justice

The international court of justice in settling the substantial issues those come forth while deciding the disputes between the states reasonably classifies its exercise of ‘jurisdiction’ in any of the two categories. The two recognized forms of jurisdiction are as follows i) Contentious Jurisdiction and ii) Advisory Jurisdiction. The former is exercised when parties to the suit before the court themselves bind themselves to the rulings which the court would lay down in the course of deciding the matter. The element of explicit ‘Consent’ though optional cannot be ruled out once established which signifies that a state cannot revoke or withdraw once the production of the ruling has been established by this supreme institution which maintains the authority to do so.

The jurisdiction of the court to decide such matters has been recognized statutorily in the Article 36 of the ICJ that provides for the basis or fundamentals of the judgment. Article 36 thus states “The states parties to the present Statute may at any time declare that they recognize as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other state accepting the same obligation, the jurisdiction of the Court in all legal disputes concerning: a) Interpretation of a treaty; b) Any question of international law; c) The existence of any fact which, if established, would constitute a breach of an international obligation; d) The nature or extent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an international obligation.”

Whereas the latter entitles this court by the virtue of such jurisdiction to extend its guidance to four out of the six principal organs of the United Nations and/or other specialized organizations or agencies which are associated within the close proximity of the UN. The public (governmental) organizations are generally not entitled to this general procedure of advisory jurisdiction as its availability is only limited to the states who can request for such appeals. A special procedure although has been established which governs these public organizations to the exclusion of these specialized agencies or organs. The most serious account had to be drawn in context of ‘willingness’ to participate in the international dispute settlement. When a state Grants its ‘free’ consent in advance with respect to all or certain class of disputes including future disputes, the states then expose themselves to this unpredictability and uncertainty.

Domestic Courts

India has a sophisticated legal framework, with a composed Constitution. Each State has its own chain of hierarchy of civil courts and criminal Courts. Each State has a High Court. The Supreme Court of India (SCI), which is the highest court in India for appeal has assumed a critical job in deciphering the Constitution and in keeping up an equitable and reasonable harmony between the privileges of people and the necessities of the State.

The law proclaimed by the SCI is authoritative on all the courts in India along these lines thus following the doctrine of precedents, (as comprehended in English statute). The SCI works out, Inter Alia, and the power to do so is enshrined under the Constitution of India: Original Jurisdiction [Article131], Appellate Jurisdiction [Articles 132 and 133], Appellate criminal jurisdiction [Articles 132 and 134]. Special Leave Petitions are recorded under Article 136 of the Constitution of India. It likewise has review jurisdiction [Article 137].

Since the foundation of the Supreme Court of India in 1950, it has delivered important judgements, which have left their imprimatur in constitution and worldwide law. It has conveyed decisions on numerous legitimate subjects: for example, constitutional law including fundamental rights, human rights, environmental law, private and international law, to give some examples, and obviously, the popular idea of open intrigue case (PIL). It is famous for its “legal activism”, an articulation that has frequently been the subject of proceeding with banter.

The Courts additionally reserve the option to punish individuals for the wrongdoings they commit. Pretty much every social circumstance which needs a standard is overseen by the legal executive, as

Dispute Resolution: Whenever there is a debate, the courts mediate in giving arrangements. Regardless of whether it’s a question among the citizens, and government, or between two state governments or even the centre and state the court is answerable.

Judicial Review: The legal executive has the last and final hold on the Constitution of India. In that capacity, if there is any infringement of the basics of the constitution, the court can even overwrite laws passed by the Parliament. This procedure is called Judicial Review.

Upholding the Law and Enforcing Fundamental Rights: Almost all Fundamental Rights of Indian residents are characterized in our constitution. On the off chance that, any resident feels that any of such rights are abused, they can move toward their respective high courts or the Supreme Court.

Because of the incorporated legal system of the nation, you can locate a solid association between all the courts. This implies that decisions of the higher courts are official on the lower courts. The ‘appellate system’ sets up such association. Because of which in the event that anybody isn’t satisfied by the judgment of a lower court ( or high court), he/she/they can speak to the higher court for a reasonable choice.


Author Details: Rishabh Bhardwaj (O.P. Jindal Global University)

The views of the author are personal only. (if any)


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