Clive Schofield

In The Regime of Islands Reframed, Clive Schofield examines the definition of islands and other insular features under the international law of the sea. Particular reference is made to the arbitration case between China and the Philippines concerning the South China Sea which, as the first detailed international judicial examination and interpretation of the Regime of Islands, has reframing understanding of the definition of islands. Reactions to the Award in the South China Sea case are appraised, confirmations and clarifications provided by the Award are highlighted as well as remaining uncertainties and scope for conflicting interpretation. The high standard for fully entitled island status set by the Tribunal in the South China Sea case is underlined as is scope for flexible application of the approach to island definition adopted by the Tribunal. The potential implications of the Award both within and beyond the South China Sea are explored.

This book addresses the often vexed question of national maritime claims and the delimitation of international maritime boundaries. The number of undelimited international maritime boundaries is much larger than the number of agreed lines. The two boundaries that define the marine domain of coastal states are examined. First the baselines along the coast may consist of low-water lines or straight lines or a combination of both. When straight lines are used they define the seaward limit of the state's internal waters. Second the outer limits of claims to territorial seas, contiguous zones and exclusive economic zones are measured from the baselines. All states will have to delimit at least one international boundary with a neighbouring state, whether adjacent or opposite. In confined seas no state can claim the full entitlement and must negotiate international boundaries with all neighbours. Many states bordering oceans can claim the full entitlement seawards, although they will need to delimit national boundaries with adjacent neighbours.

Nothing serves to remind us of the instability of the "globalized" order as much as the continuing power of territorial boundaries to spawn political and humanitarian crises. Although it might seem that in this important respect the modern world has made little progress, the work of Gerald Blake continues to prove that peaceful resolution of problems associated with international boundaries can be attained. This festschrift reflects the topics and regional preoccupations of one of the leading researchers in the field. Professor Blake returned to certain topics throughout his long career, especially the Middle East, maritime boundaries, and the relation between borders and demographics. Several of the authors extend his work in such areas as Arctic jurisdiction, environmental issues of transboundary water management, and geographic information systems (GIS). For the growing number of professionals in conflict management, international humanitarian law, the law of the sea, environmental law, and energy law, and for workers in such diverse fields as natural resource management and forced migrations - as well as for specialists in the Middle East, Africa, and South East Asia - these revealing essays should offer a wealth of valuable information and insight.