Man, Land and Sea: Local Populations in Territorial and Maritime Disputes before the International Court of Justice

Abstract

The International Court of Justice routinely resolves territorial and maritime boundary disputes between States. Such disputes often carry repercussions for the lives and livelihoods of local populations living on the territories of the State litigants. This analysis seeks to examine the extent to which State litigants’ concerns for the impact of maritime disputes or territorial disputes on their local populations are factored into the Court’s decision-making process. It also seeks to identify reasons for the Court’s approach in such disputes, and to explore the potential role of the principle of equity in such contexts.