Of the nine arbitrations initiated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Annex VII), we have been counsel in six, including for Bangladesh against India, which resulted in a favorable award for Bangladesh in 2014 and currently for Ghana against Côte d’Ivoire. We have also represented Nicaragua against Colombia and Djibouti against Eritrea.

In July 2016, our tea, won a sweeping victory against China on behalf of the Philippines regarding control of the South China Sea in an arbitration pursuant to Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The tribunal rejected China’s claim to “historic rights” in the maritime areas encompassed by its so-called “nine-dashed line” as inconsistent with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The case captured global attention because it involves critical issues relating to China’s expansive claims over some 90% of the South China Sea, an area of major strategic importance through which over 50% of the world’s commercial shipping passes each year.

Likewise, in 2015, our client Mauritius won its dispute against the UK. A distinguished Arbitral Tribunal convened under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and upheld Mauritius’ rights to fishing and minerals in the waters around the strategically located islands, which include the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia. The judgment further held that the U.K.’s undertaking to return the islands to Mauritius when they are no longer required for defense purposes was a binding obligation under international law. In so deciding, the tribunal unanimously struck down a so-called Marine Protected Area adopted by the U.K. in 2010 that, it ruled, violated Mauritius’ rights under the Law of the Sea Convention.

In addition to representing Sovereign States in disputes before international courts and arbitral tribunals, we advise our sovereign clients in the negotiation of maritime law and land boundary agreements, such as Ecuador in an agreement with Peru in 2012, and consults with them confidentially in regard to entitlements and obligations under the Law of the Sea Convention and international law generally.

Based on interviews with the firm’s clients and other international practitioners, Chambers Global described our team as a “real force in international law disputes” whose clients “choose the firm because of the team’s success in representing States.” In particular: “The lawyers have thorough knowledge, outstanding written and oral advocacy, and are able to serve at all times and in all circumstances.”