The Advisory Function of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Abstract

The advisory function can be assessed as a fallback procedure at a time when there is a lack of cases before international courts and tribunals. Although not legally binding and having no precedential effect, Advisory Opinions are generally accepted. This paper looks into the question of the Advisory Opinions in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) system. The advisory function of the Tribunal is exercised by the Seabed Disputes Chamber within the terms of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The first request for an advisory opinion was filed on 14 May 2010. The full Court may, however, render an advisory opinion based on other international agreements according to Article 138 of the Rules of the ITLOS. As a rule, the advisory procedure is open to international organizations only. There are neither claims nor parties involved in this procedure. The paper tries to address the legal regime relating to the Opinions.