During this morning’s meeting, member states and the panel discussed the budgetary confinements and specifics regarding the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. During the beginning of the meeting, some delegates, especially the representative to the European Union, expressed their concern on how these budgetary matters are not in-line with already established rules. It was explained how state parties also can take their decisions and explanations on an exceptional basis.

In the draft budget proposal put forward, the panel discussed the case related costs. In the proposed budget, a total amount of 2 million euros, as well as a total amount of 1.8 million euros in staff costs was appointed. Case related costs will be used to cover the two existing cases on the docket, and it is foreseen to be able to address two other urgent cases. It was stated that one urgent case can cost up to 740,000 euros. Other concerns were that often when an urgent case is submitted, it takes days for the tribunal to come together and hear the case. There was a question of time and how long it takes to hear a contribution of concern and if in the time available we can come up with the funds needed.

 Meeting: 190th meeting Consideration of budgetary matters of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea [item 11]

Date/Time/Location: Wednesday, June 22, 2016; 10:00-13:00, Conference Room 1

Written by: WIT representative Amirali Agha-Khan