INTERNATIONAL LEGAL PERSONALITY OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: OPEC CASE

Abstract

National legal personality is a matter of domestic law while international legal personality is an immemorial but significant subject of international law. It is generally accepted that an international organization with legal personality can represent its members, and achieve its aims more efficiently than those without having legal personality. There are a few theories about the way of acquisition of international legal personality. These main theories about international legal personality such as, subjective, presumptive and objective legal personality theories should be born in mind to better understand the legal status of international organizations. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is one of the leading international organizations functioning in petroleum sector with 13 oil rich member countries. The international legal personality of OPEC has been a long discussed yet still contradictive subject in international law. Therefore international legal personality of OPEC was chosen as the subheading, and it is defined according to the legal personality theories to better understand the power and legal status of OPEC which takes vital decisions for the world oil market. It is also presumed that the juridical personality of an entity should indicate legal personality of this entity, OPEC is also examined by its status before courts.