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The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of Philippines v. The People's Republic of China)

On 22 January 2013, the Republic of the Philippines instituted arbitral proceedings against the People’s Republic of China under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (the “Convention”).  The arbitration concerned the role of historic rights and the source of maritime entitlements in the South China Sea, the status of certain maritime features in the South China Sea, and the lawfulness of certain actions by China in the South China Sea that the Philippines alleged to be in violation of the Convention.  China adopted a position of non-acceptance and non-participation in the proceedings.  The Permanent Court of Arbitration served as Registry in this arbitration.

Case information

Name(s) of Claimant(s) The Republic of Philippines (State)
Name(s) of Respondent(s) The People’s Republic of China (State)
Names of Parties -
Case number 2013-19
Administering institution Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
Case status Concluded
Type of case Inter-state arbitration
Subject matter or economic sector Law of the sea
Procedural rules - Other -
Treaty or contract under which proceedings were commenced

Multilateral treaty
UNCLOS
Language of Proceeding English
Seat of Arbitration (by Country) Netherlands
Arbitrator(s), Conciliator(s), Other Neutral(s)

Judge Thomas A. Mensah (President)
Judge Jean-Pierre Cot
Judge Stanislaw Pawlak
Professor Alfred H. Soons
Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum
Representatives of the Claimant(s)

Agent
Solicitor General Jose. C. Calida (replacing Solicitor General Florin T. Hilbay as of 30 June 2016, who replaced Solicitor General Francis H. Jardeleza, as of 2 March 2015)
Office of the Solicitor General, Makati, Republic of the Philippines

 

Counsel

Paul S. Reichler
Lawrence H. Martin
Andrew B. Loewenstein
Foley Hoag LLP


Professor Bernard H. Oxman
University of Miami School of Law

Professor Philippe Sands QC
Matrix Chambers

Professor Alan Boyle
Essex Court Chambers
Representatives of the Respondent(s)

China did not appoint an agent. In a Note Verbale to the PCA on 1 August 2013, and throughout the arbitration proceedings, China reiterated “its position that it does not accept the arbitration initiated by the Philippines.”
Representatives of the Parties
Number of Arbitrators in case 5
Date of commencement of proceeding 22 January 2013
Date of issue of final award 12 July 2016
Length of Proceedings 3-4 years
Additional notes

In accordance with Article 15(2) of the Rules of Procedure, at the request of the Arbitral Tribunal, the Registry is making arrangements for the preparation of unofficial Chinese translations of the awards rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal. 

Documents

Written submission
The Philippines' Memorial - Volume I
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines' Supplemental Written Submissions - Volume I
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines' Memorial - Volume II
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume III (Annexes 1-60)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume IV (Annexes 61-102)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume V (Annexes 103-157)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume VI (Annexes 158-221)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume VII (Annexes 222-255)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume VIII (Annexes 256-275)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume IX (Annexes 276-306)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume II (Atlas of Relevant Features)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Memorial – Volume X (Annexes 307-343)
download | 30 March 2014 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume III (Annexes 344-385)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume IV (Annexes 386-442)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume VI (Historic Maps)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume V (Annexes 443-465)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume VII (Historic Oil and Gas Maps)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume VIII (Annexes 466-499)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume IX (Annexes 500-521)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume X (Annexes 522-542)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Written Submission — Volume XI (Annexes 543-573)
download | 16 March 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Annexes cited during Hearing on Jurisdiction (Annexes 574-583)
download | 13 July 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Written Responses to the Tribunal’s 13 July 2015 Questions – Volume II (Annexes 584-606)
download | 23 July 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Documents – Volume I (Annexes 607-667)
download | 19 November 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Documents – Volume II (Annexes 608-709)
download | 19 November 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Documents – Volume III (Annexes 710-756)
download | 19 November 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Documents – Volume IV (Annexes 757-806)
download | 19 November 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Supplemental Documents – Volume V (Annexes 807-819)
download | 19 November 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Annexes cited during Merits Hearing (Annexes 820-859)
download | 30 November 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Written Responses to the Tribunal’s November 2015 Question (Annexes 860-863)
download | 18 December 2015 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Written Responses (11 March 2016) (Annexes 864-892)
download | 11 March 2016 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Written Responses on Itu Aba (25 April 2016) (Annexes 893-913)
download | 25 April 2016 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Written Responses on French Archive Materials (3 June 2016) (Annexes 914-934)
download | 30 June 2016 | English | filesize missing
The Philippines’ Written Responses to the Tribunal’s 13 July 2015 Questions – Volume I
download | 23 July 2015 | English | 494.39KB
The Philippines’ Written Responses to the Tribunal’s November 2015 Question
download | 18 December 2015 | English | 15.48KB
The Philippines’ Written Responses (11 March 2016)
download | 11 March 2016 | English | 413.42KB
The Philippines’ Written Responses on Itu Aba (25 April 2016)
download | 25 April 2016 | English | 512.68KB
The Philippines’ Written Responses on UKHO Materials (28 April 2016)
download | 28 April 2016 | English | 342.21KB
The Philippines’ Written Responses on French Archive Materials (3 June 2016)
download | 03 June 2016 | English | 296.58KB
The Philippines' Response to Tribunal Enquiry on Reef Damage (26 April 2016) (with Prof. McManus Revised Report; and Third Carpenter Report)
download | 26 April 2016 | English | 2.45MB
Procedural Documents
Rules of Procedure
download | 27 August 2013 | English | 78.57KB
Procedural Order No. 1
download | 27 August 2013 | English | 18.23KB
Procedural Order No. 2
download | 02 June 2014 | English | 17.44KB
Procedural Order No. 3
download | 16 December 2014 | English | 32.91KB
Procedural Order No. 4
download | 21 April 2015 | English | 145.09KB
Award or other decision
Award
download | 12 July 2016 | English | 9.79MB
Award on Jurisdiction and Admissibility
download | 29 October 2015 | English | 5.27MB
Award (unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 12 July 2016 | Chinese | 10.95MB
Award on Jurisdiction and Admissibility (unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 29 October 2015 | Chinese | 5.19MB
Press Release
Eleventh Press Release 12072016 (English)
download | 12 July 2016 | English | 741.17KB
First Press Release
download | 27 August 2013 | English | 86.50KB
First Press Release (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 27 August 2013 | Chinese | 173.24KB
First Press Release
download | 27 August 2013 | French | 87.04KB
Second Press Release
download | 03 June 2014 | English | 82.12KB
Second Press Release (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 03 June 2014 | Chinese | 194.64KB
Second Press Release
download | 03 June 2014 | French | 82.39KB
Third Press Release
download | 17 December 2014 | English | 97.15KB
Third Press Release (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 17 December 2014 | Chinese | 279.66KB
Third Press Release
download | 17 December 2014 | French | 158.78KB
Fourth Press Release
download | 22 April 2015 | English | 156.62KB
Fourth Press Release (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 22 April 2015 | Chinese | 261.42KB
Fourth Press Release
download | 22 April 2015 | French | 160.00KB
Fifth Press Release
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 149.45KB
Fifth Press Release (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 07 July 2015 | Chinese | 243.87KB
Fifth Press Release
download | 07 July 2015 | French | 153.43KB
Sixth Press Release
download | 13 July 2015 | English | 4.66MB
Sixth Press Release (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 13 July 2015 | Chinese | 4.92MB
Sixth Press Release
download | 13 July 2015 | French | 4.35MB
Seventh Press Release 29102015
download | 29 October 2015 | English | 776.41KB
Seventh Press Release 29102015
download | 29 October 2015 | French | 774.12KB
Seventh Press Release 29102015 (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 29 October 2015 | Chinese | 0.96MB
Eighth Press Release 24112015
download | 24 November 2015 | English | 151.16KB
Eighth Press Release 24112015
download | 24 November 2015 | French | 155.01KB
Eighth Press Release 24112015 (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 24 November 2015 | Chinese | 256.86KB
Ninth Press Release 30112015
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 2.45MB
Ninth Press Release 30112015
download | 30 November 2015 | French | 2.47MB
Ninth Press Release 30112015 (Unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation)
download | 30 November 2015 | Chinese | 2.65MB
Tenth Press Release 29062016
download | 29 June 2016 | English | 104.91KB
Tenth Press Release 29062016
download | 29 June 2016 | French | 107.97KB
Tenth Press Release 29062016 (Unofficial Chinese translation)
download | 29 June 2016 | Chinese | 367.33KB
Eleventh Press Release 12072016 (French)
download | 12 July 2016 | French | 760.74KB
Eleventh Press Release 12072016 (Unofficial Chinese)
download | 12 July 2016 | Chinese | 634.38KB
Other
Independent Expert Report - Coral Reef Environment
download | 26 April 2016 | English | 1.78MB
Independent Expert Report - Navigational Safety
download | 15 April 2016 | English | 1.15MB
Image
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Statement by Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Albert F. Del Rosario
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 3.55MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Hearing in Session
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 4.77MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Statement by Agent for the Philippines, Solicitor General Mr. Florin T. Hilbay
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 3.42MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Counsel Team for the Philippines, including Prof. Bernard H. Oxman, Prof. Alan E. Boyle and Mr.Lawrence H. Martin
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 2.97MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Statement by Mr. Paul S. Reichler, Counsel for the Philippines
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 3.54MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Hearing in Session
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 6.13MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Members of the Philippines' Delegation
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 4.72MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Members of the Philippines' Delegation
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 3.71MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Statement by Prof. Philippe Sands QC, Counsel for the Philippines
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 3.72MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Hearing in Session
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 5.96MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Arbitral Tribunal with PCA Staff Members
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 4.01MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Members of Observer Delegations
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 4.56MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Delegation of the Republic of the Philippines
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 4.46MB
Photograph from Jurisdictional Hearing- July 2015- Arbitral Tribunal
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 4.71MB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Tribunal
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 913.82KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Tribunal in Session
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 653.29KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Opening Statement by Agent of the Philippines
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 690.07KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Counsel Team for the Philippines
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 765.86KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Members of Observer Delegations
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 112.09KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Hearing in Session
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 1.17MB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Counsel for the Philippines
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 778.33KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Members of Observer Delegations
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 681.17KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Hearing in Session
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 1.13MB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - The Tribunal with Expert and PCA Staff Members
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 3.31MB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Hearing in Session
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 1.24MB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Expert Witnesses
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 761.10KB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - Delegation of the Republic of the Philippines
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 1.22MB
Photograph from Merits Hearing - November 2015 - H.E. Mr. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 698.23KB
Transcript/Minutes
Final Transcript Day 1 - Jurisdiction Hearing
download | 07 July 2015 | English | 168.74KB
Final Transcript Day 2 - Jurisdiction Hearing
download | 08 July 2015 | English | 306.14KB
Final Transcript Day 3 - Jurisdiction Hearing
download | 13 July 2015 | English | 493.06KB
Final Transcript Day 4 - Merits Hearing
download | 30 November 2015 | English | 581.26KB
Final Transcript Day 3 - Merits Hearing
download | 26 November 2015 | English | 325.04KB
Final Transcript Day 2 - Merits Hearing
download | 25 November 2015 | English | 597.06KB
Final Transcript Day 1 - Merits Hearing
download | 24 November 2015 | English | 247.90KB