Published on 5 November 2025 in Client Alerts

ITLOS amends guidelines on the preparation and presentation of cases before the Tribunal

In September 2025, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”) adopted amendments to its Guidelines concerning the Preparation and Presentation of Cases before the Tribunal (“Guidelines”).  The revised text updates the Guidelines that the Tribunal originally adopted in 1997.

The amendments amend provisions on the format and organisation of pleadings, the arrangement and submission of supporting documents, and the number of copies to be furnished to the Registry.  The revised Guidelines expressly address electronic filing, provide that electronic submissions in PDF and MS Word should be prepared and confirm that electronically received documents may be treated as received for timeliness purposes when followed by paper originals without unreasonable delay.

The amendments also set out expectations for oral statements, including requirements that oral statements be succinct and not merely repeat the facts and arguments contained in the written pleadings and that parties keep within allotted time for presentation of their oral statements.  The Guidelines also address practical matters such as tribunal sitting hours and the provision of visual demonstration facilities. Since its establishment under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ITLOS has adjudicated disputes concerning matters such as maritime delimitation and the interpretation and application of UNCLOS provisions.

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