Profound changes in the structure and composition of today’s international community of states and equally profound changes in the kinds of disputes coming before the International Court of Justice are making essential a thorough review of the Court’s methods of handling contentious cases, and possibly advisory cases as well. Attention has been focused on hearings, where some useful modifications have been introduced. It seems, however, that more is needed than adjustments in the oral proceedings, which nevertheless can serve as the point of departure for further developments. Article 48 of the Statute gives the Court almost unfettered power to “make orders for the conduct o f the case... and to make all arrangements connected with the taking o f evidence” (emphasis added). As will be seen, in 1999 the General Assembly of the United Nations encouraged the Court to adopt additional measures aimed at expediting its proceedings. This Note has the limited purpose of drawing attention to some recent measures taken by the Court with that end in view, and suggests directions for a more fundamental change in the Court’s procedures.