<Tr> <Th> Since </Th> <Td> 6 February 2018 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Lead position ends </Th> <Td> 5 February 2020 </Td> </Tr> <P> The International Court of Justice (abbreviated ICJ; commonly referred to as the World Court) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It settles legal disputes between member states and gives advisory opinions to authorised UN organs and specialised agencies . It comprises a panel of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and Security Council for nine - year terms . It is seated in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands . </P> <P> Established in 1945 by the UN Charter, the court began work in 1946 as the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice . The Statute of the International Court of Justice, similar to that of its predecessor, is the main constitutional document constituting and regulating the court . </P>

Who elects the judges of the international court of justice