Maritime Delimitation: Safeguarding Predictability and Enhancing Equitableness

Event Details

Maritime delimitation law has evolved into one of the critical tenets of international law and a main pillar of the law of the sea. The soaring interest of States in offshore natural resources, both living and non-living, has been the driving force behind the development of the legal framework governing the designation of maritime boundaries. Notably, the decentralised nature of international law and the ambivalence of the pertinent rules have afforded international courts and tribunals a prominent role in maritime delimitation.

Against this background, international courts and tribunals in delimitation cases have mainly relied on geographical factors, disregarding non-geographical elements, although these are at the core of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zone notions. Dr Nicholas A. Ioannides suggests in his book The Predominant Interest Concept and Maritime Delimitation (Edward Elgar 2025) that the outcome of maritime delimitation could be more equitable if tribunals made use of the neglected concept of 'predominant interest', taking into account non-geographical factors at the second stage of the delimitation process.

In order to mark the publication of the book, Dr Ioannides has gathered a panel of renowned experts to discuss the challenge of safeguarding predictability whilst simultaneously enhancing equitableness in maritime delimitation. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A with the audience and a drinks reception generously sponsored by publisher, Edward Elgar.

'Ioannides unconventionally but persuasively advocates for a better way of engaging in maritime delimitation, one that takes account of non-geographical elements, including fishing, environmental, security, and navigational interests. In short, a more comprehensive concept rooted in early jurisprudence—the predominant interest of the relevant States—should now take centre stage.'

Sean D. Murphy, George Washington University, USA

Chair:

Dr Jean-Pierre Gauci, Arthur Watts Senior Research Fellow in Public International Law and Director of Teaching and Training, BIICL

Panellists:

• Professor Nicholas Ioannides, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Republic of Cyprus/Assistant Professor of International Law, University of Limassol (Cyprus)
• Professor Sir Malcolm Evans KCMG, Regent's Park College, Oxford
• Judge Professor David Attard, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
• Dr Tibisay Morgandi, Associate Professor at Queen Mary University, London.
  
  

  
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