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The
Court should have set in Cartago, Costa Rica (although after an
earthquake destroyed its building, the headquarters of the Court was
moved to San Jose). It consisted of 5 judges, appointed for 5-year
terms of office by legislatures of 5 states. Justices had to be
jurists by profession, and qualified for the high judicial office in
his/her country. They also could not hold any public office or
practice law during the time they sat on the court. The presence of
all 5 justices was required for a quorum.
The
inaugural session of the court was opened on May 25, 1908. In
accordance with the Convention, justices of the Court had to receive
personal immunity in their own countries and the status of
diplomatic agents in the other 4 states. Governments considered the
latter requirement equal to making members of the Court
representatives of their states and the process of granting these
immunities became problematic and was never solved.
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