The key principle is that the Court only has jurisdiction on the basis of consent. The court has no true compulsory jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is often a key question for the Court, because it is challenged by the respondent. At the Preliminary Objections phase, a respondent may challenge (i) jurisdiction and / or (ii) admissibility of the case. Article 36 outlines four bases on which the Court 's jurisdiction may be founded.
what is the contentious jurisdiction of the icj
the Court only has jurisdiction on the basis of consent