International Court of Justice

Dear Members of the Court,

Welcome to the International Court of Justice of 2027. My name is Joelle Al-Fakhouri, a junior here at King’s Academy, and the President of the International Court of Justice. It is a pleasure to have you.

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. At its core, the Court resolves binding legal disputes submitted by sovereign states regarding borders, maritime territory, and treaty violations; provides non-binding legal clarifications to authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies; and issues urgent, binding interim orders to prevent irreparable harm while a full case is being decided. By doing this, the Court prevents armed conflicts, upholds international law, equalizes power dynamics, and legitimizes global standards.

The topics we will be tackling this year are Japan v. China and Iran v. USA.

Iustitia et Pace is the historic Latin motto shared by the Peace Palace and the city of Hague in the Netherlands. It translates to Justice and Peace. The International Court of Justice, in my opinion, is a place where what is morally right is not always legally admissible. Remembering this nuance is crucial for protecting your cases. What I think you will find most enjoyable in this committee is the inclusion of outside witnesses, your ability to watch and judge cases, and the fast-paced nature of the court. What you might not enjoy is the wait for the outcome.

I cannot wait to see where you take these cases. It is an honour for me to lead the International Court of Justice for this year’s KAMUN2027, and I ask that you take the time to look through these topic packets to ease your transition into the first day of debate.

I ask each of you to come prepared, think deeply, and respect the gravity of the bench.

Sincerely,

Joelle Al-Fakhouri

President of The International Court of Justice