The Corfu Channel Case
The ICJ's first case, which established key principles of state responsibility and innocent passage.
Background
The Corfu Channel case (United Kingdom v. Albania, 1949) was the ICJ's very first contentious case. In October 1946, two British warships struck mines while passing through the Corfu Channel between Albania and the Greek island of Corfu. Forty-four sailors were killed and 42 injured. Britain accused Albania of laying or knowingly allowing the mines, while Albania denied responsibility and claimed the British passage was unauthorized.
The case arose in the charged atmosphere of early Cold War politics. Albania was aligned with the Soviet bloc, and Britain saw the mining as a hostile act. The Security Council referred the dispute to the ICJ, and Albania, while initially contesting jurisdiction, ultimately participated in the proceedings.