Kosovo Specialist Chambers As A New Hybrid Court In The International Judicary

Abstract After years of armed conflict and talks with international organisations, the Kosovo authorities agreed to establish an independent judicial body to prosecute the perpetrators of international crimes that took place during the liberation of Kosovo between 1998 and 2000. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office, with its jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other crimes under Kosovo law is one of the newest judicial bodies operating in the international arena. Despite several years of activity of this body, it is not clear whether Kosovo Specialist Chambers is an international court or a hybrid court in its pure form. Outlining the characteristics of a typical hybrid court, followed by an analysis of the legal framework and functioning of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers will allow for a determination of whether this court is a hybrid court or a completely new type of.