The purpose of the handbook is to contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes between States and to help to increase compliance with international law by providing States parties to a dispute, particularly those States which do not have the benefit of long-established and experienced legal departments, with the information they might need to select and apply procedures best suited to the settlement of particular disputes. The handbook has been prepared in strict conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. It is descriptive in nature and is not a legal instrument. Although drawn up on consultation with Member States, it does not represent the views of Member States. In conformity with the above-mentioned resolutions, the scope of the handbook was to be limited to disputes between States, excluding those disputes which although involving States fell under municipal law or were within the competence of domestic courts. However, at the request of the Consultative Group to the Secretary-General, the draft handbook now includes disputes to which subjects of law other than States may be parties. The completion of this Handbook was generally recognized as a concrete and useful contribution to the United Nations Decade of International Law.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-221) and index.
Formatted Contents Note
Introduction I. Principle of the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes between States A. Charter of the United Nations B. Declarations and resolutions of the General Assembly C. Corollary and related principles D. Free choice of means II. Means of Settlement A. Negotiations and consultations B. Inquiry C. Good offices D. Mediation E. Conciliation F. Arbitration G. Judicial settlement H. Resort to regional agencies or arrangements I. Other peaceful means III. Procedures Envisaged in the Charter of the United Nations A. Introduction B. The Security Council C. The General Assembly D. The Secretariat IV. Procedures Envisaged In Other International Instruments A. Introduction B. Procedures envisaged in the constituent instruments of international organizations of a universal character other than the United Nations C. Procedures envisaged in multilateral treaties creating no permanent institutions – Annexes I. Charter of the United Nations II. Statute of the International Court of Justice III. Rules of the International Court of Justice of 14 April 1978 – Bibliography Index