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It is an international organisation
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HQ : The Hague, The Netherlands
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Established in 1899
It is not a court and does not have permanent judges.
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It is not part of the UN system although it has observer status in UN General Assembly .
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The PCA is a permanent bureaucracy that assists temporary tribunals to resolve disputes among states (and similar entities), intergovernmental organizations, or even private parties arising out of international agreements.
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The cases span a range of legal issues involving territorial and maritime boundaries, sovereignty, human rights, international investment, and international and regional trade.
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The decision of the arbitrators is binding in all cases on the parties.
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It has a three-part organizational structure consisting of:
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Administrative Council – to oversee its policies and budgets,
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Members of the Court – a panel of independent potential arbitrators, and
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International Bureau – its Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General.
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Funds: It has a Financial Assistance Fund which aims at helping developing countries meet part of the costs involved in international arbitration or other means of dispute settlement offered by the PCA.