LAS1088 - Understanding Maritime Boundary Disputes: Law and Geography of Maritime Delimitation

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 2

4 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Evening

We will explore a much-discussed complex and a politically charged area in international law. Like their terrestrial counterparts, maritime boundaries have an important function in that they delimit the extent of a coastal State鈥檚 rights and obligations. The advances in technology during the mid-20th century improved significantly access to offshore living and non-living marine resources particularly hydrocarbons. However, in a number of cases, a number of coastal States are unable to exploit offshore resources as their maritime boundaries are either not delimited or contested by neighbouring States. It is claimed that over 60% of these still remain to be defined.

The unit will look into that part of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which governs the determination of maritime boundaries. Additionally, it will look into the possibilities to resolve disputes through the peaceful settlement procedures incorporated in the Convention. The overview will also bring to the fore the importance that various areas of studies may have a role in the establishment of maritime boundaries. Finally, students following this unit will also familiarise themselves with current issues concerning (i) unsettled maritime boundaries in a number of flashpoints in various regions including the Mediterranean and (ii) the impact of sea level rise on the stability of maritime boundaries.

This is an area of study which attracts the interest of jurists, historians, geographers, economists and other experts. Therefore, the unit is suitable to policy makers, diplomats, journalists, international relations analysts and students undertaking research in international law and geography.

Method of Assessment

Assessment Component/s

Weighting

Report

100%

Main Reading List

Students will be guided which sections of the texts below they would be required to read. Lecturer may provide additional literature.

Robin Churchill, Vaughan Lowe and Amy Sander, The Law of the Sea, Manchester University Press, 4th Edition
David Attard, Edited by Malgosia Fitzmaurice, and Norman A. Martinez Gutierrez, The IMLI Manual on International Maritime Law: Vol 1 The Law of the Sea, Oxford University Press, 2014.

United Nations Convention

1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

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This micro-credential is offered as part of the programme for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and will only be offered subject to a minimum number of applications received. More information can be found on the PLAS website.

Information for International applicants

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Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the unit the student will be able to:

describe how, despite globalisation, boundaries remain important;
explain the intricate procedure leading to the demarcation of maritime boundaries;
recognise the situations when peaceful settlement procedures are triggered to resolve maritime boundary disputes;
show how maritime delimitation may require the collaboration of professionals from various disciplines;
appraise current issues relating to maritime boundary delimitation disputes.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

By the end of the unit the student will be able to:

identify the relevant law concerning the determination of maritime boundaries;
interpret the complex provisions establishing the baseline;
recognise the various issues the peaceful settlement procedures may examine to resolve disputes;
evaluate disputes between States which concern maritime delimitation;
describe the consequences of the impact of sea level rise on maritime boundaries.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR180

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Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.

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