The formation of a parallel government, often in exile to supplant the incumbent government of a State, though this has occurred on many occasions, has been a contentious issue in international law and relations. Such an alternative government exists over a period of time not as a matter of design but as a result of a political or historical accident of the changing requirements of international life. Ever-growing international activities of such bodies have generated a great deal of controversy over their status, personality and competence in international law. The recently constituted Interim Government of Afghan Mujahideens in exile in Pakistan and its appeal for recognition is a contemporary case in point.

The exercise, in the political sphere, of powers traditionally characterized as inherent in his office has become a well-established and particularly important activity of the United Nations Secretary-General.

Every legal system has its own forms of legal person. Dutch law knows of four types, and they are stated in Book 2 BW (Civil Code): the association and the foundation, the public and the private company with limited liability. These are legal persons because the law provides that they possess legal personality (Art. 3 Book 2 BW).