International Court of Justice (ICJ)

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 17 delegates

NAIMUN is excited to announce the return of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to the diverse slate of Non-Traditional committees. In the ICJ, delegates will engage with the intricacies of international law, settling disputes between nations over breaches of international law. 

Unlike traditional and national courts, the ICJ’s specialized structure consists only of judges and counselors on both the applicant and respondent sides. Delegates must approach each case with sensitivity and awareness of the complex nature of each civil conflict, as the outcome of each case has very real implications for the international community. 

The ICJ case docket is yet to be announced. Delegates should expect a diverse range of cases from three different time periods.

Note: Technology may be allowed in ICJ at the chair’s discretion.

CHAIR: Cynthia gudaitis

CASE 1

TBA

CASE 2

TBA

CASE 3

TBA

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

  • Understand the role and jurisdiction of the ICJ within the complex United Nations court system

  • Analyze international disputes from the perspective of varying legal frameworks and perspectives

  • Correctly apply international law and treatises to pressing international disputes through argumentation and deliberations

About the chair

Cynthia Gudaitis is in her fourth year in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, majoring in international politics with a concentration in international law, institutions, and ethics, and minoring in Spanish and music. She is from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where she enjoys living just minutes away from the ocean. NAIMUN and Georgetown’s international relations community has been quintessential to Cynthia’s college experience, as she has served NAIMUN as a director and chair, and most recently as Chief of Staff for NCSC LIII, NAIMUN’s sister conference. She also competes for Georgetown’s traveling model UN team and particularly enjoys court simulations on the circuit. Outside of international relations, Cynthia is a dedicated distance runner starting a journey in marathon running. She enjoys music, whether that be singing for chapel choir, accompanying or music directing for Mask & Bauble Dramatical Society, or simply fumbling around on an acoustic guitar. She can’t wait to see you in court!