Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter)
Overview of the case
Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter of the United Nations provides that : “The expenses of the Organization shall be borne by the Members as apportioned by the General Assembly.” On 20 December 1961, the General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting an advisory opinion on whether the expenditures authorized by it relating to United Nations operations in the Congo and to the operations of the United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East constituted “expenses of the Organization” within the meaning of this Article of the Charter. The Court, in its Advisory Opinion of 20 July 1962, replied in the affirmative that these expenditures were expenses of the United Nations. The Court pointed out that under Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter, the “expenses of the Organization” are the amounts paid out to defray the costs of carrying out the purposes of the Organization. After examining the resolutions authorizing the expenditures in question, the Court concluded that they were so incurred. The Court also analysed the principal arguments which had been advanced against the conclusion that these expenditures should be considered as “expenses of the Organization” and found these arguments to be unfounded.
This overview is provided for information only and in no way involves the responsibility of the Court.
Request for Advisory Opinion
Written proceedings
Oral proceedings
Minutes of the Public Hearings held at the Peace Palace, The Hague, from 14 to 21 May and on 20 July 1962, the President, M. Winiarski, presiding
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Original Language
Orders
Advisory opinions
Summaries of Advisory Opinions and Orders
Summary of the Advisory Opinion of 20 July 1962
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English
French
Press releases
28 December 1961
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - The United Nations General Assembly requests an Advisory Opinion of the Court
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English
French
16 March 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - List of the States which have filed written statements
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English
French
26 March 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - The oral proceedings will open towards the beginning of May
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English
French
17 April 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - List of the Governments whose representatives will make oral statements at the hearings which will begin on 14 May 1962
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English
French
10 May 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - List of the States which will participate in the oral proceedings
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English
French
14 May 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - Hearing of 14 May 1962
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English
French
19 May 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - Hearings of 14 to 19 May 1962
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English
French
21 May 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - Sittings of 21 May 1962
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English
French
18 July 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - The Court will deliver its Advisory Opinion on 20 July 1962
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English
French
20 July 1962
Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter) - Advisory Opinion
Available in:
English
French
Correspondence
