Maritime delimitation and territorial sovereignty disputes are as numerous today as they ever have been. Pursuant to Article 2(3) of the UN Charter and customary international law, such disputes must be settled peacefully. International arbitration has a central role to play in the resolution of such disputes between sovereign States, whether via ad hoc proceedings or institutional proceedings under UNCLOS. This talk will address that role, from the perspective of a leading public international law and arbitration practitioner who was counsel to Barbados in the first ever UNCLOS maritime boundary arbitration. The talk will explore the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration of such disputes as against with other options (such as litigation at the ICJ or ITLOS), the challenges and practicalities of managing a major boundary and sovereignty arbitration and the practical questions that can arise in the context of post-award implementation. The talk comes as Southeast Asia awaits the final award in the UNCLOS arbitration between the Philippines and China. It will be of interest to all those watching that dispute, together with all those involved in arbitration and international dispute resolution generally.

Admission is free. Book your places by dropping us an email with your details to events@klrca.org