>> The M/T “San Padre Pio” Case (Switzerland v. Nigeria), Provisional Measures
Hearing regarding Switzerland’s Request for provisional measures
The public hearing in the case took place on 21 and 22 June 2019. At the close of the oral proceedings, Switzerland and Nigeria presented their final submissions:
>> Final submissions of Switzerland
>> Final submissions of Nigeria
The Tribunal will now deliberate on the case.
President Paik reports to the Meeting of States Parties
On 17 June 2019, Judge Jin-Hyun Paik, President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, presented the Tribunal’s annual report for 2018 to the 29th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The President reported on the judicial activity of the Tribunal, including the recent developments which have kept the Tribunal busy since the beginning of the year.
Resignation of Registrar Philippe Gautier
3 June 2019
Mr Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, has announced his resignation from the Tribunal after 22 years of service.
ITLOS Newsletter
The Tribunal's second quarterly newsletter for 2019 is now available.
>> Case concerning the detention of three Ukrainian naval vessels (Ukraine v. Russian Federation), Provisional Measures
Tribunal orders the Russian Federation to release the three Ukrainian naval vessels and crew.
>> The M/V "Norstar" Case (Panama v. Italy)
10 April 2019
Tribunal delivers its Judgment in The M/V “Norstar” Case (Panama v. Italy)
In its Judgment, the Tribunal finds that Italy violated article 87, paragraph 1, of the Convention, that article 87, paragraph 2, of the Convention is not applicable in the case, and that Italy did not violate article 300 of the Convention. The Tribunal awards Panama compensation for the loss of the M/V “Norstar” in the amount of US$ 285,000 with interest.
First Mayor of Hamburg visits Tribunal
19 March 2019
President Paik welcomed the First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Dr Peter Tschentscher, to the Tribunal today. After the signing of the guest book, the First Mayor met with the Judges of the Tribunal.
The Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan visits the Tribunal
13 March 2019
The Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Kenji Yamada, visited the Tribunal today and paid a courtesy call on President Paik, discussing inter alia the importance of the capacity building programmes held at the Tribunal. After a guided tour of the facilities, Mr Yamada met with the fellows currently participating in the ITLOS-Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme on Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS. During his discussion with the fellows, Mr Yamada emphasised the significant role that younger generations must play in supporting the rule of law and in the protection of the marine environment.
President Paik pays courtesy call on the Federal Foreign Minister, Mr Heiko Maas
Berlin, 5 March 2019
Judge Jin-Hyun Paik, President of the Tribunal, paid a courtesy call on the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Mr Heiko Maas, at his offices in Berlin on 5 March 2019. The Minister and the President exchanged views on various matters, including peaceful settlement of maritime disputes around the world and strengthening the cooperation between the Tribunal and the German Government. President Paik expressed his special thanks for the strong support of the German Government to the work of the Tribunal.
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President Paik meets Mr Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Japan
14 February 2019
President Paik met with Foreign Minister Taro Kono on 14 February 2019 in Tokyo and discussed the importance of the Tribunal for the maintenance of the rule of law, the growing significance of the law of the sea and the importance of encouraging younger generations’ interest in maritime issues. On 13 February 2019, President Paik met Mr Kenji Yamada, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, with whom he discussed the importance of capacity building in this area of international law and reiterated the Tribunal’s gratitude for the assistance provided by the Nippon Foundation for capacity building at the Tribunal. During his visit to Japan, President Paik gave a lecture on 14 February 2019 at the Ocean Policy Research Institute on the “Contribution of ITLOS to the rule of Law”, co-hosted by the Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan within the frame of the lecture series 'Ocean Forum'.
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President Paik addresses the United Nations General Assembly
11 December 2018
President Paik spoke on Agenda item 78 (a) at the plenary of the seventy-third session of the United Nations General Assembly.
A webcast of the statement may be viewed on UN Web TV. Go to General Assembly 73rd Session - 50th meeting (continued) at 32:00.
Capacity Building
>> ITLOS-Nippon Programme
In cooperation with the Nippon Foundation, the Tribunal runs an annual capacity-building and training programme on dispute settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The full-time programme, which runs for nine months and begins in July each year, takes place at the seat of the Tribunal in Hamburg, Germany.
The programme is aimed at junior to mid-level government officials and researchers currently working on issues related to the law of the sea or dispute settlement. It provides participants with a unique opportunity to develop their legal skills and deepen their practical knowledge of dispute settlement in the law of the sea under UNCLOS.
The thirteenth ITLOS-Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme on Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS will begin in July 2019.
>> Internship Programme
Approximately twenty internships are available each year for students of law, international relations, public relations, political science, library science and translation. The programme is designed to give participants the opportunity to gain an understanding of the work and functions of the Tribunal and to enable the Tribunal and its members to benefit from the assistance of persons with relevant knowledge and skills in areas within the scope of activities of the Tribunal.
The next available internships are from October to December 2019.
Application deadline: 30 June 2019.
>> IFLOS Summer Academy 2019
The International Foundation for the Law of the Sea will hold its thirteenth Summer Academy, ‘Promoting Ocean Governance and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes’, at the seat of the Tribunal in Hamburg from 21 July to 16 August 2019.
