Attending a hearing/sitting
To find out the date of the next scheduled hearings or reading of a decision (at a public sitting), please consult the calendar. Priority is given to delegations taking part in the proceedings, followed by members of the diplomatic corps, guests of Members of the Court, regular observers of the Court's activity and, only subsequently, to members of the general public.
Hearings and sittings are held in the Court's two official languages: English and French. Simultaneous interpretation is available, for which headphones are provided. You are kindly asked to return these before leaving the Great Hall of Justice.
Hearings consist of a series of presentations by the agents, counsel and advocates which can last from a few minutes to a number of hours. Readings of the Court's decisions can take between one and three hours.
- Admission for individuals
Members of the public wishing to attend hearings or sittings are required to register in advance by filling out the online admission form on the Court's website: www.icj-cij.org.
Once you have submitted your admission form, please save the page in your favourites and consult it regularly to check the status of your application. If your application is accepted, please print out the confirmation page and show it, along with your ID, to security in order to enter the Peace Palace. You are kindly asked to arrive at the Peace Palace no later than 30 minutes before the start of the public proceedings.
- Admission for groups
1. The size of groups should not exceed 25 individuals.
2. Applications for admission should be made to the Information Department using the online application form for group visits.
3. Groups must arrive at the entrance of the Peace Palace at least half an hour before the start of hearings/sittings, failing which admission will not be granted.
- Rules governing entry to the Peace Palace
Visitors are reminded that they will be entering an international Court and are therefore kindly requested to observe appropriate standards of conduct.
1. Anybody entering the Peace Palace site must undergo security checks. Access will not be granted unless security staff are satisfied that all necessary conditions have been met. In the interests of public order, children are not allowed in the Great Hall.
2. Visitors must carry valid proof of identity (passport, identity card or driver’s license) and the printed confirmation of their application form.
3. There is no dress code, but visitors are requested to dress suitably (no beachwear, provocative attire or display of potentially offensive insignia).
4. Visitors shall refrain from making noise, talking to each other and any conduct which may disturb the hearings/sittings or other visitors.
5. No-one is allowed to leave the Great Hall during hearings/sittings; they must wait until a break is called.
6. It is strictly forbidden to bring food or drink into the Great Hall of Justice.
7. Mobile phones, portable computers, personal digital assistants, cameras and any other audio, video or recording equipment are prohibited in the Great Hall. Such devices must be switched off.
8. Visitors must rise at the request of the President of the Court, the Registrar or the Usher.
9. Anybody causing disruption to the hearing/sitting may be removed from the Great Hall.
10. The security staff may at any time call for the evacuation of the Great Hall in the event of an emergency. Please follow their instructions carefully.
11. Visitors are advised not to leave their belongings in the Great Hall unattended during breaks. The Court accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage.
12. At the end of hearings/sittings, visitors are kindly requested to put the headphones back on the rack by the entrance door to the Great Hall.
- Guided tours of the Peace Palace
Visitors should note that the Carnegie Foundation does not conduct guided tours of the Peace Palace when the Court is holding hearings or sittings.
- Peace Palace refectorium
Food and drinks are available for sale to visitors in the Peace Palace Refectorium, which is open from 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Groups of more than ten individuals must book in advance with the Carnegie Foundation (telephone: +31 (0) 70 302 41 37, e-mail: Wilma@sands-foodservices.nl).
For additional information, please contact the Information Department
Telephone: +31 (0)70 302 23 96
Fax: +31 (0)70 302 23 38
Contact: 
click here