Seabed Mining - Advisory Opinion on Responsibility and Liability -

摘要

On 1 February 2011, the Seabed Disputes Chamber ("the Chamber") delivered its first Advisory Opinion. The Coitncil of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) requested the advice of the Chamber - the body within the International Tribunal for the Lawof the Sea (ITLOS) with the relevant jurisdiction1 - on the limits of State liability when a contractor that a State is sponsoring to explore or exploit the seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction causes damage or harm. In providing this advice, the Chamber was also requested to opine on the primary international obligations of a sponsoring State under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS or Convention), the breach of which would give rise to responsibility.