How many judges serve concurrently on the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and what is the standard length of their elected term of office?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 15 judges, 9-year terms

  1. Step 1: The Statute of the International Court of Justice dictates the composition and election procedure for the World Court.
  2. Step 2: The ICJ comprises 15 independent judges elected by concurrent absolute majorities in both the General Assembly and the Security Council; judges serve staggered 9-year terms and are eligible for re-election.
Answer
15 judges, 9-year terms
Why not the others: '9 judges, 5-year terms' 9 judges serving 5-year terms is the structure of some national constitutional courts, not the ICJ; '12 judges, 6-year terms' 12 judges serving 6-year terms is common in regional European courts, but does not match the UN apex court; '21 judges, 10-year terms' 21 members serving 9-year terms is the composition of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg.

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