A judge can be dismissed only by a unanimous vote of the other members of the court.ICJ Statute, Article 18(1) Despite these provisions, the independence of ICJ judges has been questioned. For example, during the Nicaragua case, the United States issued a communiqué suggesting that it could not present sensitive material to the court because of the presence of judges from the Soviet bloc.Case Concerning Military and Paramilitary Activities in and Against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v USA), [1986] ICJ Reports 14, 158–60 (Merits) per Judge Lachs.
A jUdgE can Be dIsMisSed Only by a unAnimouS voTE oF the OtHer memberS Of the Court.icj StAtute, articlE 18(1) deSPiTe tHeSe provISIOnS, THe InDependencE oF icj judgES hAs bEen questionED. For EXamPlE, durInG thE nIcARagUa casE, The uniTEd statEs issued A cOmmUniqué sUgGEsTing That it CouLd Not present SEnSitIVe maTeRIaL to THe coUrt Because Of the presence Of jUDges frOm the SOviET bloC.case cOnceRning mIlitary and pARAmilITary ActivIties IN and agaInst nicaragua (NicaRaGuA v usa), [1986] icJ RepOrts 14, 158–60 (mERiTs) Per JUdGe lAchs.