The International Court of Justice had its headquarters in

Analyze the question: The question asks where the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has its headquarters.

Explain the concept: The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established in 1945 under the UN Charter and began work in 1946, taking over from the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ). It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and agencies.

Solution:

1. The ICJ is one of the six main organs of the UN. Five of them are based in New York. The ICJ is the only one that is not.
2. The ICJ sits at the Peace Palace in The Hague, in the Netherlands. This is the same building that housed the PCIJ before it.
3. Checking the options: • A. Hague: correct, the Peace Palace is here. • B. London: not the seat of any main UN organ. • C. New York: this is the UN headquarters, but not the ICJ's seat. • D. Paris: this is the base of UNESCO, not the ICJ. • E. Washington D.C.: this is the base of the World Bank and IMF, not the ICJ.

**Answer: A.

Tip: Remember "ICJ = Hague = Justice at the Peace Palace." Students often pick New York because the UN is headquartered there. The ICJ is the only principal UN organ not in New York. Also, do not confuse it with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is also in The Hague.