International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)

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India’s candidate, Professor Bimal N. Patel, has been elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term.

About International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is an independent judicial body established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, and adjudicates disputes relating to the interpretation and application of UNCLOS.

Composition

The Tribunal consists of 21 independent judges elected by secret ballot by the States Parties to UNCLOS. Each State Party may nominate up to two candidates. Judges are elected for a nine-year term and are eligible for re-election, with one-third of the members retiring every three years. Members are chosen from persons of high moral character, fairness, integrity, and recognised expertise in the law of the sea.

Jurisdiction

The ITLOS has jurisdiction over disputes concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS and matters specifically assigned to it under other international agreements. Its jurisdiction covers issues relating to maritime boundary delimitation, navigation, conservation and management of marine living resources, protection and preservation of the marine environment, and marine scientific research.

Who Can Approach ITLOS?

The Tribunal is open to States Parties to UNCLOS, including States and international organisations that are parties to the Convention. It may also hear cases involving non-party States, intergovernmental organisations, State enterprises, and private entities, where permitted under the Convention or relevant agreements.