The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Established in 1945, it settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues. The court is located in The Hague, Netherlands, and consists of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms. The ICJ addresses a variety of cases, including territorial disputes, maritime boundaries, and issues related to treaties. Its decisions are binding on the parties involved, but the court does not have the power to enforce its rulings. Instead, compliance relies on the goodwill of the states involved.