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UK-Sandeel (The European Union v. the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

A dispute has arisen between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concluded on 30 December 2020 (Trade and Cooperation Agreement).

On 16 April 2024, the European Union requested consultations with the United Kingdom under Part Six of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement concerning the United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit the fishing of sandeel in the English waters of the North Sea and in all Scottish waters. The consultations concluded without a mutually agreed solution.

On 25 October 2024, the European Union served on the United Kingdom a request to establish an arbitration tribunal under Article 739 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

On 18 November 2024, the Arbitration Tribunal was established pursuant to Article 740 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Case information

Name(s) of Claimant(s) The European Union (International organization )
Name(s) of Respondent(s) The United Kingdom (State)
Names of Parties -
Case number 2024-45
Administering institution Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
Case status Pending
Type of case Inter-state arbitration
Subject matter or economic sector Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Procedural rules - Other -
Treaty or contract under which proceedings were commenced

Other
Language of Proceeding English
Seat of Arbitration (by Country) -
Arbitrator(s), Conciliator(s), Other Neutral(s)

Dr. Penelope Jane Ridings, MNZM (Chairperson)

Prof. Hélène Ruiz Fabri

Hon. Justice Mr. David Unterhalter
Representatives of the Claimant(s)

Mr. Anthony Dawes

Ms. Daniela Gauci

Dr. Bernhard Hofstötter

Ms. Josephine Norris

Dr. Laura Puccio

Agents
Representatives of the Respondent(s)

Mr. Alex Cooke

Mr. Steven Fuller

Agents

 

Mr. Ben Juratowitch KC

Ms. Camille Boileau

Essex Court Chambers

 

Mr. Ned Westaway

FTB Chambers

                                                   

Mr. Pablo Bentes

Mr. Claude Chase

Dr. Weiwei Zhang

Baker McKenzie

 

Dr. Virginie Tassin Campanella (until 16 December 2024)

VTA Tassin

 

Ms. Catherine Drummond 

3 Verulam Buildings
Representatives of the Parties
Number of Arbitrators in case 3
Date of commencement of proceeding 25 October 2024
Date of issue of final award -
Length of Proceedings Pending
Additional notes

Dr. Levent Sabanogullari (Assistant to Dr. Penelope Jane Ridings, MNZM)

Prof. Edoardo Stoppioni (Assistant to Prof. Hélène Ruiz Fabri)

Mr. José Luis Aragón Cardiel (Assistant to Hon. Justice Mr. David Unterhalter) 

Documents

Written submission
The European Union’s Request for the Establishment of the Arbitration Tribunal
download | 25 October 2024 | English | 477.17KB
The European Union’s Written Submission
download | 09 December 2024 | English | 1.93MB
The European Union’s Written Submission - Exhibits
download | 09 December 2024 | English | filesize missing
The European Union’s Written Submission - Legal Authorities
download | 09 December 2024 | English | filesize missing
The United Kingdom's Written Submission
download | 09 January 2025 | English | 4.70MB
Procedural Documents
Procedural Order No. 1
download | 22 November 2024 | English | 332.91KB
Press Release
Press Release - Initial Organisational Meeting and Amicus Curiae Submissions
download | 20 November 2024 | English | 239.71KB
Communiqué de presse - Première réunion d’organisation et Communications d’Amicus Curiae
download | 20 November 2024 | French | 238.68KB
Press Release - Hearing
download | 17 January 2025 | English | 187.08KB
Communiqué de presse - Audience
download | 17 January 2025 | French | 183.37KB