Georgia Tech Model United Nations Conference

The Legal Committee, GA 6, is the sixth subcommittee of the UN General Assembly. This committee is responsible for exploring the legality of issues that arise in the United Nations. The sixth committee works closely with the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the International Law Commission. The committee is responsible for a broad range of issues that include international trade, maritime laws, and aiding with international criminal tribunals. Currently, and in the past, the sixth committee has addressed the elimination of international terrorism, the rule of law at national and international levels, issues of diplomatic protection, and accountability of states for internationally wrongful acts. The purpose of this committee is to gather legal experts from around the world to discuss and debate international law. Recent events, such as the creation of an International Criminal Court, have brought the topic of international law into public light and have further increased questions regarding the subject. The legal committee is an important part of the General Assembly because it is the only body that is responsible for advising the General Assembly (and any other UN committee that requests assistance) on legal matters. This committee is also responsible for reviewing documents, such as treaties, between member states. The legal committee of the UN operates in a manner similar to the General Assembly. There is a bureau and a secretariat that faciliate the discussion of debate topics. All UN member states are entitled to participate in the legal committee. The committee cannot try individuals or specific states; it is not a court of law. However, it may make suggestions and referrals to the General Assembly, the UN Security Council, and ICJ and the ICC.