Advisory Opinion on the Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Respect of Kosovo

The Advisory Opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence is a formal legal judgment by the International Court of Justice. It assesses whether Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia complies with international law. The court concluded that declaring independence was not clearly prohibited by international law and that such declarations are not automatically illegal. This opinion guides countries and international bodies in understanding the legal status of Kosovo, emphasizing that while the declaration itself may not breach international law, issues like recognition and sovereignty involve political considerations beyond legal rulings.