Article 217: Law to be Applied by the Court in the Exercise of its Original Jurisdiction

1. The Court, in exercising its original jurisdiction under Article 211, shall apply such rules of international law as may be applicable.

2. The Court may not bring in a finding of non liquet on the ground of silence or obscurity of the law.

3. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not prejudice the power of the Court to decide a dispute ex aequo et bono if the parties so agree.