The concept of joint heritage was developed by the International Council on Archives and accepted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1978 as one of the basic principles which should guide the solution of conflicting archival claims. The two other principles are: the principle of provenance (that is the respect for the integrity of archival fonds) and the principle of functional pertinence. The latter is the only exception to the principle of provenance, applicable when records of a non-sovereign political or administrative authority are needed by a successor State to carry on that authority’s business. The concept of joint heritage is advisable where archives