Growth and Diversification of International Legal Personality

PhD thesis

Written by: Jef Croonen

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Jure Vidmar and Dr. Jennifer Sellin

Keywords: international legal personality, international organisations, non-state actors, subjects of international law

In 2016, the International Law Assosciation (ILA) found that the original unity of international law has been disrupted by the growth and diversification of non-state actors. Particularly, as there are more entities on the international plane with a certain degree of international legal personality. 

By examining literature and analysing many examples, this research finds the contrary. Indeed, there has been a growth and diversification of entities with international legal personality, but international law has proven to be both resilient and adaptive. Contrary to the findings of the ILA, this research shows that international legal personality is a cornerstone of international law.