The Existence of Informal Avenues

The rigid legal framework of the ICJ’s Statute and Rules provided for limited avenues for participation. The opportunities were mainly open to traditional subjects of International Law, namely States and international organizations. Nevertheless, NGOs, individuals and other NSAs, such as civil society organizations have also found their way to the Court via other avenues. IGOs and NSAs can submit their views to the Court through multiple paths and thus effectively participate both in contentious cases (Sect. 5.1) and in advisory proceedings (Sect. 5.2). For the purposes of this study, those instances of participation (or attempts of participation) were taken into consideration insofar as they could be inferred by the information available in the Court’s documents.