Maritime Boundary Delimitation: Professional Training Workshop 11-13 September 2024

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, discussions 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 Tutors

Mr Stephen Fietta KC, Founder and Partner, Fietta LLP

Mr Coalter Lathrop, President, Sovereign Geographic, Inc.

Professor Alina Miron, Professor of International Law, University of Angers 

Professor Martin Pratt, Director, Bordermap Consulting

Ms Amy Sander, Barrister, Essex Court Chambers

Workshop Flyer

Maritime Boundary Delimitation Flyer

Workshop Programme

Wednesday 11 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 the law of the sea
• Maritime jurisdiction and boundaries under UNCLOS
• Conventional and customary laws

Identifying an equitable solution 1   

• The importance of case law
• The evolution of the three-stage approach to delimitation by judicial bodies

Identifying an equitable solution 2            

• ‘Relevant circumstances’ in case law
• The role of proportionality in case law
• The significance and value of state practice

Baselines and basepoints in maritime delimitation                

• The legal regime of baselines
• Identifying ‘appropriate basepoints’
• Practical exercise

Thursday 12 September

Technical aspects of maritime delimitation                

• The role of the technical expert
• Making sense of technical issues
• Constructing equidistance lines and other potential boundary lines
• 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

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

Friday 13 September           

Practical 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:

• 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: 

• 3 nights accommodation at the Radisson Blu hotel from 10 September
• Lunch and refreshment breaks 
• Dinner at Durham Castle on the evening of 11 September 

The Venues

Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham, United Kingdom

https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-durham 

Accommodation 

Accommodation for 3 nights from Tuesday 10 September will be included in the workshop fee.

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 the 24 August 2024 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 List (LDC), the cost of the workshop will be £1,500 +accommodation per participant.

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.