Was it illegal or illegitimate? Unpacking the acquisition criteria through a gradual approach 

Key Points

• Legality issues complicate restitution claims, hinging on applicable laws during acquisition and the principle of intertemporality.
• Illegitimacy can invoke moral duties over enforceable obligations, raising questions about political agreements and restitution.
• The concept of the 'colonial paradox' exposes the hypocrisy often found within international law contexts.
• Judicial claims require careful examination of both legal frameworks and moral implications to address legitimacy in acquisition.

Abstract