The Legal Status of the International Joint Commission under International and Municipal Law

In: The Canadian yearbook of international law: Annuaire canadien de droit international, Band 16, S. 276-303

Abstract

The international joint commission bas historically possessed the characteristics of an international organization; by reason of the capacities that it exercises, it has a certain measure of international personality; and, consequently, on the municipal plane, it has the capacity to be sued. It is therefore necessary, on the principle of effectiveness, that the Commission and its employees be immune from suit. In the United States, the Commission and its employees were granted immunities in 1948. In Canada, the Commission alone was granted immunities in 1976. It will be argued here that immunities should now also be granted to all commissioners, staff, and experts in Canada, in view of the standing of the Commission as an international organization possessing international personality, with consequences for municipal law.