030517 KU Law of the Sea (2026W)

This course aims to provide students with a solid foundation in the field of international law of the sea, introducing them to key concepts, structures and legal frameworks. At the same time, the course seeks to stimulate interest in contemporary challenges facing the oceans.

The course offers a comprehensive overview of the international law of the sea, with a particular focus on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is structured around two core functions of the international law of the sea: the spatial allocation of jurisdictional authority among states and international cooperation in managing and using ocean spaces and resources. In the first part of the course, we examine the spatial dimension of the law of the sea: the baselines; maritime zones under national jurisdiction (internal waters, territorial sea, international straits, archipelagic waters, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone – EEZ, and the continental shelf) and areas beyond national jurisdiction (the high seas and the Area). The second part focuses on common usage and international cooperation in the oceans. This includes the conservation of marine living resources and biological diversity, as well as the protection of the marine environment. We dedicate particular attention to the impact of climate change on the oceans, which is a topical issue addressed in two recent advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in summer 2025 and an earlier one by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in spring 2024. Finally, the course addresses security-related topics, such as piracy, military activities in EEZ and nuclear tests on the high seas. The course will conclude with an examination of the dispute resolution mechanisms under UNCLOS, with a particular focus on ITLOS.

The course follows an interactive approach that encourages active participation and critical engagement with the material. Students are expected to come prepared and contribute to in-class discussions based on the assigned readings.