Corfu Channel (United Kingdom v. Albania) fr

Date of Application: 22 May 1947

On 22 October 1946 in the Corfu Strait, two British destroyers struck mines in Albanian waters and suffered damage, including serious loss of life. On 22 May 1947, the Government of the United Kingdom filed an Application instituting proceedings against the Government of the People’s Republic of Albania seeking a decision to the effect that the Albanian Government was internationally responsible for the consequences of the incident and must make reparation or pay compensation. Albania, for its part, had submitted a counter-claim against the United Kingdom for having violated Albanian territorial waters. On 9 April 1949, the Court found that Albania was responsible for the explosions and for the resulting damage and loss of human life suffered by the United Kingdom. The Court also found that the later minesweeping by the United Kingdom had violated Albanian sovereignty. On 19 December 1949, the Court ordered Albania to pay the United Kingdom a total compensation of £ 843, 947.

The Corfu Channel case was the first dispute to be brought before the newly established International Court of Justice – the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice.