I.C.J. Extends Filing Dates for Belize/Guatemala Territorial Claim

On Wednesday, the International Court of Justice held its first ever virtual plenary meeting. It required the president and the registrar to be available in the deliberation room of the Peace Palace in The Hague, while the remaining members of the court participated via videoconference. In that sitting, the I.C.J. considered pending judicial matters and adopted an order on procedural issues. Now, as it relates to the dispute between Belize and Guatemala, the I.C.J. has granted an extension of six months, from June eighth to December eighth, 2020, to receive Guatemala’s Memorial.  The Counter Memorial of Belize is now to be filed on June eighth, 2022.  A release from the I.C.J., dated April eighth, 2020, the Agent of Guatemala requested an extension of twelve months for the filing of Guatemala’s Memorial due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has delayed its preparation of that pleading. But on April fifteenth, Belize objected to Guatemala’s request, seeking only a two-month extension. The I.C.J., however, found middle ground and agreed to a six month extension for Guatemala.