2 Legal Powers, 2.3 Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter), International Court of Justice, Advisory Opinion, [1962] ICJ Rep 151

Subject(s):

International organizations, practice and procedure — Responsibility of international organizations — Ultra Vires conduct

The International Court of Justice’s 1962 Advisory Opinion Certain Expenses of the United Nations relates to a relatively narrow legal question. The Court was asked to decide whether expenses authoriszed by the UN General Assembly relating to peacekeeping missions constituted ‘expenses of the organization’ according to art. 17(2) of the UN Charter. In deciding this question, the Court elaborates on some important issues for international law and the law of international organizations including the doctrine of implied powers, treaty interpretation in the context of the UN Charter, the doctrine of ultra vires, and the Court’s relationship with other UN organs. The opinion also has consequences for the UN General Assembly, including its role in the system of collective security, its budgetary powers, and its relationship with the UN Security Council. The chapter not only examines the Court’s reasoning but also discusses the wider significance of the case for international law.