Seabed Disputes Chamber

What is Seabed Disputes Chamber?
Composition of Seabed Disputes Chamber.
Ad hoc Chamber of Seabed Disputes Chamber.
Jurisdiction of Seabed Disputes Chamber.

Seabed Disputes Chamber

Seabed Disputes Chamber is a chamber of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

According to Article 14 of Statute of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)

A Seabed Disputes Chamber shall be established in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Annex.  Its jurisdiction, powers and functions shall be as provided for in Part  XI, section 5.

Composition of Seabed Disputes Chamber

According to Article 35 of Statute of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)

1. The Seabed Disputes Chamber referred to in article 14 of this Annex shall be composed of 11 members, selected by a majority of the elected members of the Tribunal from among them.
 

2. In the selection of the members of the Chamber, the representation of the principal legal systems of the world and equitable geographical distribution shall be assured.  The Assembly of the Authority may adopt recommendations of a general nature relating to such representation and distribution.
 

3. The members of the Chamber shall be selected every three years and may be selected for a second term.
 

4. The Chamber shall elect its President from among its members, who shall serve for the term for which the Chamber has been selected.
 

5. If any proceedings are still pending at the end of any three-year period for which the Chamber has been selected, the Chamber shall complete the proceedings in its original composition.
 

6. If a vacancy occurs in the Chamber, the Tribunal shall select a successor from among its elected members, who shall hold office for the remainder of his predecessor's term.

7. A quorum of seven of the members selected by the Tribunal shall be required to constitute the Chamber.
 

 

Ad hoc chambers of Seabed Disputes Chamber

According to Article 36 of Statute of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)

1. The Seabed Disputes Chamber shall form an ad hoc chamber, composed of three of its members, for dealing with a particular dispute submitted to it in accordance with article 188, paragraph 1(b).  The composition of such a chamber shall be determined by the Seabed Disputes Chamber with the approval of the parties.
 

2. If the parties do not agree on the composition of an ad hoc chamber, each party to the dispute shall appoint one member, and the third member shall be appointed by them in agreement.  If they disagree, or if any party fails to make an appointment, the President of the Seabed Disputes Chamber shall promptly make the appointment or appointments from among its members, after consultation with the parties.
 

3. Members of the ad hoc chamber must not be in the service of, or nationals of, any of the parties to the dispute.

Jurisdiction of Seabed Disputes Chamber

Advisory Opinions


According to Article 191 of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) III

The Seabed Disputes Chamber shall give advisory opinions at the request of the Assembly or the Council on legal questions arising within the scope of their activities.  Such opinions shall be given as a matter of urgency.