Molotov

TREATY OF SAN JOSÉ

República Argentina,
República de Bolivia,
Estados Unidos de Centroamérica,
República de Chile,
República de Colombia,
República de Costa Rica,
República Dominicana,
República del Ecuador,
República de Guatemala,
Estados Unidos Mexicanos,
República del Paraguay,
República del Perú,
República Oriental del Uruguay,
República de Venezuela,

BUILDING on the principles agreed at international conferences in Lima (1877-1880) and in Montevideo (1888-1889) on harmonised juridical practices,

AGREEING that the amicable settlement of disputes between neighbours is of the greatest importance to regional peace and prosperity,

RECOGNISING that such arbitral decisions are the most effective and equitable means of settling disputes, not merely between nations, but between individuals,

RESOLVING to dispose of war as a method of resolving conflicts in the region,

The High Contracting Parties, having appointed their plenipotentiaries and, having exchanged their full powers, found them in good and due form, have agreed as follows:

I. A Latin American Court of Justice (Corte de Justicia Latinoamericana) shall be established, having its seat in Mexico City, as an international court with jurisdiction over the Contracting States, permanent function, and compulsory authority.

II. The Court shall be composed of one Justice from each Contracting State; jurists of high competency, unquestionable moral reputation, and resounding professional ability, who shall be appointed for five year renewable terms.

III. The Court shall sit in plenary session, in a Grand Chamber of 7 members, or in smaller chambers of 5 or 3 justices - changing as required by circumstances.

IV. Natural and legal persons shall also have recourse to this Court, as well as States and all their apparatus, in order to best preserve peace and friendship amongst the High Contracting Parties. The Court shall have all the necessary jurisdictional competencies in this regard.

V. The Court shall have the ability to pursue questions of its own accord, in addition to those presented by unilateral or joint petition.

VI. The Court shall be the first recourse of nations in dispute where the normal channels of bilateral or multilateral diplomacy have been unsuccessful.