Defining Disputes and Characterizing Claims: Subject-Matter Jurisdiction in Law of the Sea Convention Litigation

The Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) is well-known for containing a compulsory dispute settlement system in Part XV, which allows most disputes to be submitted to binding adjudication or arbitration. Yet, the ability to bring a claim under the LOSC is premised upon meeting certain conditions contained in the Convention's compromissory clause. This article examines those requirements relating to jurisdiction ratione materiae or subject-matter jurisdiction under LOSC and how they have been interpreted in the recent jurisprudence of courts and tribunals.