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The Enrica Lexie Incident; (Italy v. India)

Arbitration Tribunal.  21 May 2020 .

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 September 2025

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Abstract

Arbitration — Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 — Jurisdiction — Scope of jurisdiction — Existence of dispute — Characterization of dispute — Whether dispute concerning interpretation or application of UNCLOS — Whether real issue in the case being immunity of Italian marines — Whether immunity of marines incidental to real issue in the case — Whether UNCLOS provisions constituting a renvoi to customary international law — Whether jurisdiction over immunity of marines based on UNCLOS Article 297 — Jurisdiction over Italy’s additional claim concerning India’s maritime zones legislation — Whether dispute concerning compatibility of India’s maritime zones legislation with UNCLOS existing at the time of notice of arbitration — Admissibility of Italy’s additional claim — Whether Italy’s additional claim transforming subject-matter of dispute — Admissibility of India’s counterclaims — Agreement of Parties that India’s counterclaims admissible

Sea — United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 — Article 87(1) — Italy’s claims — Freedom of navigation — Whether India impeding Enrica Lexie’s freedom of navigation by requesting that it sail to port of Kochi — Meaning of “freedom of navigation” — UNCLOS Article 92 — Exclusive flag State jurisdiction corollary of freedom of navigation — Whether India breaching Italy’s exclusive flag State jurisdiction by requesting that Enrica Lexie sail to port of Kochi — Whether India exercising its jurisdiction in the exclusive economic zone — Whether India’s acts amounting to enforcement jurisdiction — UNCLOS Article 97 — Collision at sea — Whether risk of collision between Enrica Lexie and St Anthony — Meaning of “incident of navigation” — Meaning of “persons in the service of the ship” — UNCLOS Articles 100 and 300 — Duty to co-operate in repression of piracy — Whether marines reasonably apprehending threat of piracy — Whether India’s legal system implementing obligation to co-operate in repression of piracy — Remedies — Satisfaction — India’s counterclaims — UNCLOS Article 56 — Whether marines’ actions limiting India’s right to explore and exploit resources of EEZ — UNCLOS Article 58 — Whether marines’ actions breaching Italy’s obligation to give “due regard” to India’s rights — UNCLOS Articles 87 and 90 — Whether St Anthony having Indian nationality — Whether causing change of course of St Anthony breaching India’s freedom of navigation — UNCLOS Article 88 — Whether marines’ actions breaching Italy’s obligation to reserve sea for peaceful purposes — Remedies — Satisfaction — Compensation — Parties to agree on compensation within a year of date of award — Arbitration tribunal to remain seised of matter for a year of date of award

State immunity — Customary international law — Immunity ratione materiae — Whether marines entitled to immunity for acts committed on board the Enrica Lexie — Whether marines State officials — Whether marines exercising official functions — Whether territorial tort exception excluding immunity of marines — Remedies — Cessation and non-repetition — Satisfaction

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Type
Case Report
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025

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