The Court's decisions, large and small, general and particular, may have an influence beyond the parties in dispute and beyond the issues in dispute. The Court has contributed to the growth of international law, to a universal system of international law. Over the years, the Court has interpreted, refined and advanced principles of international law that govern the whole of international society. It is inevitable that other international tribunals will apply the law whose content has been influenced by the Court, and that the Court will apply the law as it may be influenced by other international tribunals. At the same time, it is possible that various courts may arrive at different interpretations of the law.
Proliferation risks conflict.
But the risk should not be exaggerated. While in principle there is a single system of international law, in practice there are various views on issues of the law, and not only between international tribunals and among other authoritative interpreters of the law. There are differences within the International Court of Justice itself. That is marked not only by separate and dissenting opinions, but in adjustments of the holdings of the Court over the years. In practice international courts may be expected to demonstrate due respect for the opinions of other international courts.