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Legal Systems and Variance in the Design of Commitments to the International Court of Justice

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  • Sara McLaughlin Mitchell

    (Department of Political Science, University of Iowa, USA)

  • Emilia Justyna Powell

    (Department of Political Science, Georgia Southern University, USA)

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between domestic legal systems and the design of commitments to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Empirical analyses demonstrate that civil law states are more willing to recognize the compulsory and compromissory jurisdiction of the World Court than common law or Islamic law states. Common law states place the highest number of reservations on their optional clause declarations, with the majority of those restrictions relating to specific areas of international law. Civil law states typically embed compromissory clauses in multilateral treaties, while common and Islamic law states prefer recognition of the ICJ's jurisdiction through bilateral treaties.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara McLaughlin Mitchell & Emilia Justyna Powell, 2009. "Legal Systems and Variance in the Design of Commitments to the International Court of Justice," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 26(2), pages 164-190, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:compsc:v:26:y:2009:i:2:p:164-190
    DOI: 10.1177/0738894208101128
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    References listed on IDEAS

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