Short Course: Law of the Sea (Hybrid)
Date: 30 November - 1 December 2023
Time: 09.00 - 17.00 (UK time)
Venue: BIICL, Russell Square, London and Online

Course Outline
This course offers an informative overview of the international law of the sea and current challenges facing the world's oceans and seas. How do States establish their maritime boundaries? What are the States' rights and obligations with regard to the various zones of maritime jurisdiction? What are the rules and procedures for the peaceful settlement of international maritime disputes? What are the obligations of States towards migrants rescued at sea? And what is the interplay between marine natural resources exploitation and environmental protection in areas within and beyond national jurisdiction?
Bringing together a distinguished cohort of law of the sea experts from academia and practice, the course provides participants with a solid working knowledge of the relevant legal and regulatory framework for the governance of the world's oceans, the main sources of the law of the sea, including treaties, customary law and judicial practice and how these elements are put to the test in different contexts, from protecting the marine environment and managing vulnerable species, to regulating deep-sea activities and, crucially, to peacefully resolving disputes between States.
Indicative course topics:
- The International Law of the Sea in Perspective
- Maritime Zones & Maritime Boundary Delimitation
- Fisheries Regulation and Management of Disputes relating to Fisheries
- Maritime Migration & Maritime Security
- Climate Change, Sea Level Rise & the Law of the Sea
- Deep Sea Mining & Marine Genetic Resources
- Marine Environmental Protection Law
- Dispute Settlement in the Law of the Sea and the Role of ITLOS
Course leader
Dr Constantinos Yiallourides, Research Leader in the Law of the Sea, BIICL and Lecturer, Macquarie University.
Who is the course for?
The course is beneficial to anyone with an interest in ocean governance including those working for government (including national and sub-national government), NGOs, legal practice (including law firms and chambers), companies and academia (including students).
Testimonials from past attendees
"Great learning experience"
"Really informative, accessible and in interactive - even as a non-Lawyer"
"Very good. I had a great experience"
Participants at BIICL short courses are also invited to join exclusive events for trainees following completion of the course.
Pricing and Registration
The course cost is £775 per person (including VAT).
Course format: This is a hybrid course, being offered in person at the BIICL office in Russell Square, London and virtually.
Book to attend this course in person
Book to attend this course online
Course Discounts
Member discount: 15% discount for individual members of BIICL
Details of individual memberships at BIICL
Group discounts:
- 15% discount for groups of 3 or more attendees from NGO organisations or staff of government
- 15% discount for groups of 5 or more attendees from commercial organisations
To apply for any of the discounted rates, please Contact Us.
Training scholarships
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law is committed to equality and opportunity in the legal profession and to support greater engagement of under-represented groups in the legal profession.
In our efforts in this regard we are delighted to offer 3 scholarships for each of our short courses to participants from communities and backgrounds currently under-represented in the legal community.
Applications for training scholarships must be received at least three weeks ahead of the course start date (9 November 2023).
Find out more about training scholarships