I. INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE, <i>ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW OF THE UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN RESPECT OF KOSOVO,</i> ADVISORY OPINION OF 22 JULY 2010

Abstract

‘Is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo in accordance with international law?’ It is to answer this question that the General Assembly of the United Nations (‘UNGA’) requested an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (‘ICJ’). The request, adopted in October 2008 1 and initially sponsored by Serbia, was triggered by the declaration of independence of Kosovo issued on the 17 February 2008. 2 Some two years later, on the 22 July 2010, the ICJ delivered its Advisory Opinion. 3 By a 10–4 vote, the ICJ found that the declaration of independence of Kosovo did not violate international law.