Claiming a juridical continental shelf under Article 76 of the United Nations convention on law of the sea (UNCLOS)
Abstract
The United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) divides the sea floors into zones, one of which, the (juridical) Continental Shelf, only comes into existence if it is claimed by a Coastal State. Article 76 of UNCLOS defines the Continental Shelf in a complex and possible contradictory manner, one that seemingly requires a great deal of data and scientific analysis. UNCLOS establishes the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to who claim are to be submitted for comment. The CLCS has issued Guidelines detailing the types and format of evidence they will consider. This thesis analyses Article 76 and the Guidelines and creates a model of a process that can be followed by a Coastal State to prepare a Continental Shelf claim that will meet both requirements.