Let right and wrong be argued in the open.
The International Moral Court is an independent civil tribunal. It observes strict due process, hears disputes of every kind under the ICE8000 international moral standards, and works to uphold the universal morality of humankind. Its judgments have no legal force and are offered as opinions and recommendations — yet every one is published in full, for the whole of society to examine.
The International Moral Court is an independent, purely non-governmental organization. It is not a state organ, a government agency or a semi-official body, and it has no national or governmental backing of any kind. To protect its independence and neutrality, the Court has no intention of acquiring any such backing. For precisely that reason, fairness and impartiality are the foundation on which the Court exists and grows.
A court with no power to compel. Why trust it?
The International Moral Court enjoys no legal privilege. It stands on completely equal footing with plaintiff and defendant alike, and it cannot force anyone to obey a ruling. That is exactly why it must earn the credibility of every ruling through strict procedural fairness and thorough reasoning.
The Court's judgments are, by their nature, non-binding. They are opinions and recommendations, not legal determinations. Parties decide for themselves whether to comply; a party who believes a judgment is unjust may publish a statement explaining why it will not comply.
Every moral judgment — together with whether the parties complied and, if not, their reasons — is published online for public scrutiny. Society can then judge for itself which argument is the more reasonable: the Court's grounds, or the party's objection.
What sets the Court's dispute resolution apart
These seven points are what distinguish this civil court from national courts and from commercial arbitration institutions.
- 01
Judgments have no legal force; they are opinions and recommendations
Rulings are non-binding by nature. Parties decide for themselves whether to comply; a party who finds a ruling unjust may publicly declare that it will not comply, and why.
- 02
Strict adherence to due process
Due process is among the highest achievements of human moral and legal practice. Before any evidence is admitted, and before any negative assessment takes effect, the parties concerned must be told of their right to object.
- 03
Exceptionally broad jurisdiction
Because its judgments are speech protected by the constitutional principle of free expression, the Court is not confined by state-imposed legal jurisdiction. From a minor neighbourhood quarrel to an international conflict, if the plaintiff is willing to submit the dispute, the Court may hear it.
- 04
A way for the world to experience the strengths of the U.S. legal system
As a moot court, the Court relies mainly on U.S. law and the ICE8000 international moral standards. Its judgments frequently cite U.S. law and precedent, offering a reference to those who cannot bring suit in a U.S. court.
- 05
An open and equal contest of justice and reason
The Court holds no privilege and treats all parties as equals. The judgment and the parties' objections are published side by side, so that society can decide whose reasoning is sounder.
- 06
A powerful internal incentive to be just
The Court accepts no official recognition from any government; its credibility rests entirely on its commitment to fairness and reason. An unjust ruling will be publicly rejected by the party — the most forceful form of accountability there is.
- 07
A market-driven moral incentive
Voluntarily complying with a fair and reasonable judgment shows high moral character. Refusing to comply with a plainly fair one lets business partners and stakeholders decide for themselves whether to limit or end their cooperation.
The path of a case through the Court
Under the ICE8000 International Credit Dispute Trial Standard, disputes of up to US$500,000 follow the summary procedure and are decided within three months of the tribunal being formed.
- 01
File a moral complaint
The plaintiff submits a Moral Complaint with the oath-of-conscience clause, pays the fees in advance and proposes how the tribunal should be composed.
- 02
Filing review
The case officer reviews the filing and issues a Notice of Acceptance within three working days; the plaintiff serves it on the defendant together with the complaint and supporting materials.
- 03
Defence and formation of the tribunal
The defendant has thirty calendar days to file a defence, and may choose trial by a single moral judge or by a jury.
- 04
Evidence and hearing
The tribunal may decide on the documents or hold a hearing. Before any evidence is admitted, the parties concerned have the right to object.
- 05
Ruling and publication
The tribunal rules independently and publishes the ruling at once; once published, a ruling is never deleted.
- 06
Compliance or public statement
A party may comply voluntarily. A party who finds the ruling unjust may appeal within fifteen days, or publish a notice of non-acceptance.
Three tiers, three instances
Except for cases within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme International Moral Court, the Court operates a three-instance system. Presidents, grand moral judges, moral judges and jurors are not subordinate to one another; each exercises their functions independently.
International Moral Court of First Instance
Composed of moral judges and jurors. Its president is elected by all moral judges for a two-year term.
International Moral Court of Second Instance
Hears appeals from first-instance rulings. Parties may choose a jury: the appellant draws three jurors by lot, the respondent four.
Supreme International Moral Court
Composed of all grand moral judges, deciding one person one vote, by unanimity. Its rulings are the final rulings of the World Credit Organization.
A ruling is a credit assessment and a moral appraisal
A ruling of the International Moral Court is a credit evaluation and a moral appraisal opinion. It has no automatic binding force on the parties; a party who does not accept a ruling has the right, under this Standard, to exclude the effect of all or part of it.ICE8000 International Credit Dispute Trial Standard, Article 1.15
From the content of a ruling, and from whether the parties accept and carry it out, people may judge for themselves the credit standing and moral character of those involved, and decide how deeply and how widely to deal with them.
The ruling, the parties' statements and the record of compliance are all entered in the parties' integrity files.
Every document, open to the public
From the complaint, the notice of acceptance, the notice to produce evidence and the evidence file, to orders and draft judgments — proceedings of the International Moral Court are public from beginning to end, and open to scrutiny.
See notices and rulingsOne of the three separated powers of the World Credit Organization
The World Credit Organization (WCO) is a democratic organization built on the separation of powers. The International Moral Court is one of those three powers: independent of the Council and of the President, it exercises the power to adjudicate disputes on its own authority.
Together with the World Integrity Organization, the World Moral Organization, the International Credit Dispute Arbitration Commission® and ICE8000 College, the Court works within the ICE8000 International Integrity Standard System to promote social integrity, reduce transaction costs and advance human welfare.
About the Court- WCOWorld Credit Organization®Author and guardian of the ICE8000 International Integrity Standard System, founded in 2004.
- WIOWorld Integrity Organization®International organization promoting the culture and practice of integrity.
- WMOWorld Moral Organization™Promotes humanity’s moral conscience through the ICE8000 Moral Conscience Standard.
- IMCInternational Moral Court®Hears credit disputes and internal disputes under the ICE8000 standards; rulings are public and non-binding.
- ICDACInternational Credit Dispute Arbitration Commission®Independent, neutral and impartial arbitration of credit disputes.
- ICE8000ICE8000® CollegeEducation and training in the ICE8000 International Integrity Standard System.
Let us tell right from wrong, together.
Help defend the moral foundations of humankind. Whether you wish to file a moral complaint, respond to one, or understand the grounds of a ruling, we welcome your message.