For an overview of the history of the International Tribunal for the Law and the see, visit History of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Hamburg, Germany.

Jurisdiction of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

The ITLOS website, under "Jurisdiction" includes information on Competence, Procedure, Contentious jurisdiction, Advisory jurisdiction and a Guide to Proceedings of the Tribunal as detailed in articles 297 and 298 of the Convention. The Tribunal's "Seabed Disputes Chamber is competent to give an advisory opinion on legal questions arising within the scope of the activities of the Assembly or Council of the International Seabed Authority (article 191 of the onvention). The Tribunal may also give an advisory opinion on a legal question if this is provided for by "an international agreement related to the purposes of the Convention" (Rules of the Tribunal, article 138)." *

* Adapted/selected from the ITLOS website page on Jurisdiction (viewed 6 August 2016)

* The following text and links (12 August 2013) are adapted/selected from the ITLOS website

Statute of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Annex VI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Rules of the Tribunal (ITLOS/8), as amended on 17 March 2009

Amendments to the Rules of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea as adopted by the Tribunal on 15 March 2001

Amendments to the Rules of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea as adopted by the Tribunal on 21 September 2001

Amendments to the Rules of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea as adopted by the Tribunal on 17 March 2009

Resolution on the Internal Judicial Practice of the Tribunal (ITLOS/10) 

Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Guidelines Concerning the Preparation and Presentation of Cases before the Tribunal

Guidelines Concerning the Posting of a Bond or other Financial Security with the Registrar

         Resolution on the Seabed Disputes Chamber

         Resolution on the Chamber for Fisheries Disputes

Resolution on the Chamber for Maritime Environment Disputes

Resolution on the Chamber for Maritime Delimitation Disputes 
 

Relationship with the United Nations

Resolution on Observer Status for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the General Assembly

Agreement on Cooperation and Relationship between the United Nations and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
 

Headquarters Agreement

Agreement between the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Occupancy and Use of the Premises of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (Additional Agreement in accordance with article 3 of the Headquarters Agreement)
 

Agreement between the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding the Headquarters of the Tribunal and Exchange of Notes

ITLOS Trust Fund

The Terms of Reference of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Trust Fund (Annex I and Annex II of UN/A/RES/55/7 of 27 February 2001) - see page 9

According to its Terms of Reference, the purpose of the Fund is to provide financial assistance to States parties to the Convention for expenses incurred in connection with cases submitted, or to be submitted, to the Tribunal, including its Seabed Disputes Chamber and any other Chamber.

Live coverage of cases from ITLOS courtroom

Webcam Archives (Cases 16-24)