Admission requirements
Required course(s):
- Principles of Public International Law, or permission from the instructor.
Recommended course(s):
International Dispute Settlement
International Environmental Law
Description
The law of the sea is codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC), being the “constitution” of the oceans. We examine the legal regimes regulating the use of the internal waters, ports, archipelagic waters, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the continental shelf, the area, and the high seas. We see how States establish their maritime boundaries, and how overlapping boundaries are delimited between adjacent States. We examine the legal definition of islands, rocks, low-tide elevations, installations, ships, vessels, artificial islands, as well as harbor works. We turn our attention to the environmental protection of marine areas both within and beyond any State’s national jurisdiction. The regulation of the search and rescue of migrants at sea is also included. And we pay attention to piracy and other security issues. Finally, we discuss the rules and procedures for the peaceful resolution of international ocean disputes.
Course Objectives
With this course, you increase your knowledge, and more particularly, you will
be familiar with the foundations of the international law of the sea;
understand the relevance of the law of the sea for the governance of all maritime zones and the different uses of the sea;
be able to define and distinguish the different maritime zones;
know the basics of the legal regime of each of these maritime zones;
be familiar with the rules on maritime boundary delimitation;
understand the rights and duties of States and other actors in the field of marine environmental protection;
appreciate the relevance of human rights law for ocean governance;
understand the different methods of dispute settlement under the law of the sea.
With this course, you acquire new skills, more particularly, you will
have gained experience in preparing a written memorial relating to a law of the sea dispute and in presenting and defending the arguments developed therein orally;
be able to respond critically and respectfully to the argumentation put forward in the memorials and oral pleadings of your fellow-students.
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2025-2026 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
This course is structured around seminars twice a week. Students are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to each seminar and to actively engage in discussions with both the instructor and their peers. The knowledge and skills acquired during the course will be assessed through participation in a moot court as well as through the midterm and final exam.
Assessment Method
Skeleton arguments for moot court – 19%
Oral pleadings in moot court – 19%
Midterm exam – 31%
Final exam – 31%
Reading list
Required and recommended readings will be listed in the syllabus.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. Otto Spijkers, o.spijkers@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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