Finding an Equitable Solution in Maritime Boundary Delimitation: Professional Training Workshop 15-17 September 2025, Durham UK

Workshop Details

Clearly-defined maritime boundaries are essential for good international relations and effective ocean management, yet few coastal states have agreed all their maritime boundaries with their neighbours.

Part of the reason for this is that boundary delimitation requires a range of specialist legal and technical skills which are not always readily available to governments.

Combining lectures, discussion and practical exercises, IBRU’s most popular workshop helps participants develop the skills needed to achieve an equitable division of maritime space and clearly defined maritime boundaries.

Workshop Flyer

IBRU Workshop Flyer Maritime Boundary Delimitation September 2025

Workshop Tutors

Dr Gershon Hasin, Associate, Fietta Law LLP

Mr Coalter Lathrop, President, Sovereign Geographic

Professor Alina Miron, Partner, FAR Avocats and Professor of International Law, University of Angers

Professor Martin Pratt, Director, Bordermap Consulting

Ms Oonagh Sands, Partner, Fietta Law LLP

Professor Philip Steinberg, Director, IBRU: Centre for Borders Studies

Sir Michael Wood KC, Barrister

Workshop Programme

Monday 15 September

Welcome and introduction                                                                                      

• The significance and value of maritime boundaries
• The global state of play
• Challenges in maritime boundary delimitation

Maritime boundaries: the legal framework                       

• The evolution of international law on maritime jurisdiction
• Maritime areas under UNCLOS
• Boundaries under UNCLOS

Identifying an equitable solution 1                 

• The evolution of the three-stage approach to delimitation by judicial bodies
• Construction of the provisional equidistance line
• Relevant circumstances

Identifying an equitable solution 2                    

• The role of proportionality in case law
• Delimitation of the outer continental shelf
• The significance and value of state practice

Practical exercise                           

Participants will attempt to evaluate equitable solutions in a range of geographical contexts.

Tuesday 16 September

Technical aspects of maritime delimitation                           

• The role of the technical expert
• Constructing equidistance lines and other potential boundary lines
  (including a practical exercise on equidistance line construction)
• Geographical tools and data resources for maritime boundary delimitation

Negotiating maritime boundaries                         

• Building and preparing a negotiating team
• Negotiation strategy and tactics
• Drafting a maritime boundary agreement

Negotiation exercise                   

Working in teams, participants will seek to delimit an equitable and                      technically robust maritime boundary between two neighbouring states

Wednesday 17 September  

Negotiation exercise debrief                                                     

Options for resolving maritime boundary disputes                                                   

• Dispute resolution mechanisms under UNCLOS
• Advantages and disadvantages of different dispute resolution mechanisms

Round-table discussion   

This session will address maritime boundary-related topics not examined elsewhere
in the programme and issues raised during the workshop. Potential topics include:

• Identifying appropriate basepoints
• Islands and ‘rocks’ under UNCLOS Article 121
• Provisional arrangements of a practical nature
• Sources of assistance for maritime boundary delimitation

What is included in the workshop cost

In addition to tuition and all course materials, the fee covers the following: 

• Lunch and refreshment breaks
• Accommodation for 3 nights from Sunday 14 September 2025 at Hotel Indigo
• Dinner for 2 nights at Durham Castle and Hatfield College
• Optional tour of Durham Cathedral

The Venues

Durham Law School, The Palatine Centre, Durham University, UK

Accommodation 

Included in the fee are 3 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at Hotel Indigo in Durham.

Hotel Indigo Durham, 9 Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HL

https://durham.hotelindigo.com/

Your accommodation will be booked from Sunday 14 September for 3 nights. If you require any additional nights you will have to book and pay for additional nights with the hotel, subject to availability.

Travel 

You are expected to organise your own travel arrangements to the United Kingdom. Please be aware that if you require a visa to visit the UK, you will be required to apply for your own visa for entry in to the country. Please allow enough time for your visa to be processed before the start of the workshop. A letter on invitation can be provided to support your visa application. 

Language 

Teaching and workshop materials will be in English. 

Cancellation 

Cancellations must be received in writing not later than 1 September 2025 and will be subject to a £250 cancellation fee, unless a substitute participant is offered. After this date the full registration fee will be charged for all cancellations. 

Programme changes 

IBRU reserves the right to modify the programme as necessary, without notice to participants. 

Reduced Workshop Rate for LDC list countries

For countries on the United Nations Least Developed Countries (LDC) list, the cost of the workshop will be £1,685 per participant (£1250 plus accommodation).

NOTE: Places will be restricted to only 2 places per LDC country per workshop at this reduced rate. Any additional places will be available at the full cost price. Places will be available on a first come first served basis.