Which of these describes the advisory opinions process?

• A. They are issued by the UN Security Council
• B. They are binding on all UN member states
• C. They require approval by a state's government to be issued
• D. They are issued by the ICJ to UN organs or specialized agencies and are non-binding

Answer: (D)

Advisory opinions are a way the International Court of Justice provides legal guidance in response to requests from UN bodies. The ICJ issues these opinions when a UN organ or a specialized agency asks a question about international law. They are non-binding, meaning states aren’t legally required to follow them, though they carry strong authority and shape how international law is understood and applied. They are not issued by the UN Security Council, and they don’t require approval by a state's government for the court to issue them. This matches the described process: the ICJ authorizes advisory opinions to UN organs or specialized agencies and them being non-binding.