Law of the Sea
48 Articles
Prize Courts Are Still Good Law. That Doesn’t Make Them a Good Idea.
The proposed revival of prize courts to seize Iranian oil vessels rests on a misunderstanding of the courts' historical purposes and the nature of modern naval warfare.
Iran’s Conditions for Reopening Hormuz: What International Law Requires, Permits, and Forbids
Expert analysis of how Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz fit within the strictures of international law.
Merchant Mariners: Unseen in Peacetime and Forgotten in Conflict
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran illustrates how thousands of merchant mariners, so desperately needed globally, increasingly are trapped at sea during times of conflict.
As American as International Law
A Fourth of July barbecue demonstrates how international law shapes daily life, from weather forecasts to global trade, and where that architecture is under strain.
Deep Sea Mining and the Logic of Contracting Around the Commons
A non-binding U.S.-Japan agreement on deep-sea mining highlights the weaknesses and vulnerability of the International Seabed Authority.
Taking a Toll
How allowing Iran to charge for transit in the Strait of Hormuz could undermine U.S. strategy in the Pacific and beyond
Five “Blockades” and One Legal Problem: Naval Enforcement in the U.S.–Iran Conflict
Former U.S. Navy Commander, JAGC Mark Nevitt clarifies the 5 "blockades" in the U.S.-Iran conflict and the different legal issues and operational risks at stake.
Mined and Blockaded: Iran’s Unlawful Mining and the U.S. Port Blockade
If transit passage rights wither away in the Strait of Hormuz, then every chokepoint in the world is potentially exposed.
Continuing Crisis in Strait of Hormuz: Why Iran’s Hold is Illegal and U.S. Military Force Alone Fails
Former US Navy Commander, JAGC Mark Nevitt provides a legal and operational update on the Strait of Hormuz crisis, including Iran’s military role and imposition of tolls.
Where the Law Gets Thin: The Jurisdictional Gap Pirates Exploit
UNCLOS’s piracy provisions codified a model rooted in older piracy patterns that don’t match today’s near-shore threat. Today, piracy is a recurring, adaptive threat.
Toward A Just and Lawful Peace in Ukraine: Part I
A review of what law and lawyers have contributed toward the goal of a just and lawful peace in Ukraine over the past four years.
The Law of Naval Warfare and the U.S. Capture of Neutral Merchant Vessels: The Case of the Marinera
In‑depth legal examination of the U.S. capture of the Russian‑flagged tanker Marinera and its implications under the law of naval warfare.