North Continental Case 1

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INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSCE

PLEADTNGS, ORAL A R G U M E N T S , DOCUMENTS

NORTH SEA CONTINENTALSHELF CASES

(FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANYIDENMARK;FEDERAL REPUBLTC OF GERMANYINETHERLANDS)VOLUME I

COUR INTERNATIONALE DE JUSTICE

M E ~ ~ I R E S ,LAIDOIRIES ET DOCUMENTS

AFFAIRES DU PLATEAUCONTlNENTAL DE LA MER

DU NORD(& UBLIQUE FEUI?RALE D'A LLEMAGNEIDANEMARK ;RE PUBLIQUEFEDGRALE U ' A L L E M G C N E ~ P A Y S - B A S )

VOLUME I


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The present volume contains the Special Agreements, the Memorials, theCounter-Mernoriab, the RepIies an d th e Co mm on Rejoinder filed in the NorrhSea Continental Shelfcases. Th e proceedings in these cases, which w ere entere don the Cowt's General List on 20 February 1967 under numbers 51 and 52,were joined by an Order of the Court of 26 April 1968 (North Sea ContinentalShei'' Order of 26 Apri l1968, I.C.J. Reports 1968, p. 3 ) , an d a Judgment wasdelivered o n 20 February 1969 (No rth Seo Continental Shelf, Judgment, I.C.J.Reports 1969, p. 3).Th e page references originally app earin g in the pleadings have been altered t ocorrespond w ith the pagination of the present edition. Th e Hague, 1969.

Le prsent volume reproduit les compromis, les mernoires, les contre-mmoires, les rpliques et la duplique commune dposs dans les affaires duPlateau continental de la mer dic Nord. Ces affaires ont t inscrites au rlegnral de la Cour sous les nos 51 et 52 le 20 fvrier 1967 et les deux instancesont t jointes par ordonnance de la Cour le 26 avril 1968 (Plateau conti~zentalde la mer du Nord, ordonnance du 26 avril 1968, C.1.J. Recueil 1968, p. 3). Unarrt a tk rendu le 20 fvrier 1969 (Plateau continental de la mer du Nord, ar-rt, C . I . . Recueil 1969, p. 3).Les renvois d'un mmoire A I'autre ont t modifis pour tenir compte d e lapagination de la prsente dition.a Haye, 1969.


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CONTENTS - ABLE DES MA T I ~ S

PART 1. SPECIAL AGREEMENTS AND PLEADINGSPREMIREPARTIE. COMPROMIS ET MGMOIRES

SECTION A. SPECIALAGREEMENTSSECION A. COMPROMIS

PageLettex of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the NetherIands to theRegistrar of the International Court of Justice. . . . . . . . . . . 5Special Agreement for the submission to the International Court ofJustice of a difference between the Kingdom of Denmark and theFederal Republic of Germany concerning the delimitation, as betweenthe Kingdom of Denmark and the Federal Republic of Gemany, ofthe continental shelf in the North Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Special Agreement for the submission to the International Court ofJustice of a difference between the Federal Republic of Germany andthe Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning the delimitation, asbetween the Federal RepubIic of Germany and the Kingdom of theNetherlands, of the continental shelf in the North Sea. . . . . . . . 8Fvotocol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10SECTION B. PLEADINGSSECTION B. MMOIRES

Mernorial submitted by the Government of the Federai Republic of Gemany(Federal Republic of GermanyIDenmark)

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Part 1. Facts and history of the dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Chapter 1. The continental shelf of the North Sea . . . . . . . . 17Chapter II. Delimitation of continental shelfareasby thecoastal Statesin the North Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Section 1. Unilateral acts of the coastal States claiming continentalshelf areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Section II. Bilateral agreements between the coastal States of theNorth Sea regarding the delimitation of their continental shelf areas 21

Chapter III. The negotiations between the Parties to the disputerelating to the delimitation of the continental shelf beneath the North. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ea 26Part II. The law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Chapter 1. The principle of the just and equitable share . . . . . . 30Chapter TI. The equidistance line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37


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X NOR H SEA CONTINENTAL SHELFSection 1. Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section II. Technique a n d effects of the eq uidistance meth od . . .Section III. Genesis of th e equidistance line as a metho d for the deli-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .itation of a continental shelfSection IV . Th e practice after the 1958 Conference on the Law of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .he S aA. Th e reservations to Article 6 of the Continental Shelf Conve n-tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. State practice since 1958C. Th e application of the equidistance line in the N or th Sea . .

Section V . The scope of application of the equidistance line. . . .A . T he shortcom ings of the equidistance line . . . . . . . . .B. The "special circumstances" in Article 6 of the Continental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .helf Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ection VI. Conclusions . . . . . . . . . .hapter III. Th e special case of the Nor th Sea

Section 1 Criteria for a just and equitable apportionment of thecontinental shelf in the Nor th Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A . The apport ionment of the seabed and subsoil of a shallow sea

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .urrounded by several States . . . .Fac tors determining the share of each adjacent State(a ] Th e geographical fac tor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6) Other factors( c ) The principle of equality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(d) Th e access to the middIe of the North Sea . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ection I I. The sector principle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. The polar sector theoryB. T he application of the sector principle t o the case of the N orth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .eaSection LI1. The applicability of the principle of equidistance in the. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .orth S aA. The median line between Great Britain an d the C ontinent . .B T he division of the subm arine areas east of the m edian line be-tween Gre at Britain an d the Continent . . . . . . . . . . .

Section IV . Establishme nt of the bou nda ry by agreement . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ection V. Conclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .art LI1. SubmissionsPart IV.Annexes to the Memoiial subrnitted by the Government of the. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ederal Republic of Germany

1. Note Verbale. dated 10 September 1964. from the Royal DanishEmbassy at Bonn t o the Germ an Ministry of Foreign An airs . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. Translation from the original2. N ote Verbale. dated 21 June 1963. f rom the RoyalNether lands Em-bassy a t Bonn t o the Ge rma n M inistry of Foreign AfTairs . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A . Translation from the original


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XU NORTH SEA CONTINENTAL SHELFM ernorial subm itted by the Covernment of the Federai Republic of Germany(Federal Republic of Germany/Netherlands)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ote by the Registry 151Counter-Mernorial subm itted by th e Government of the Kingdom of Denmark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ntroduction 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . .art 1. Facts an d history of the dispute 159Chapter 1 Geology an d geography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159Chapter II. Dan ish att i tud e to the continental shelf question . . . . 161Chapter I II . Attitude of the Federal Republic of Germany in respect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .f the contine ntal shelf 163. . . . . . . . .hapter I V. T he negotiations between the P arties 165Section 1 Bilateral negotiations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Section I I. TriIateral negotiations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ection I I I. Conclusions 166. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .art II The lawChapter I. Th e question submitted to the Co urt . . . . . . . . . .Chapter II. Th e principle tha t a delimitation of a maritime are a in ac-cor da nc e with generally recognized rules of interna tional law is prima

facie valid an d oppo sable to ot he r States . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter III. The status of the principles ernbodied in article 6 of theconvention on the continental shelf as general rules of law . . . . .Section 1 Th e Internat ional Law Commission . . . . . . . . .Section II. The 1958 Geneva Conference on the Law of the Sea . .Section I II . T he provisions of Article 6 are in harmony with Statepractice in the delimitation of other maritime and fresh-water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .oundariesSection IV. Th e State practice since the G eneva Con ference of 1958

Chapter IV . T h e applicab le principles stated in article 6 of the conven-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ion o n the continental shelfSection 1. T he meaning of th e principal rule ap plicable in the p resent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .a s e .Section I I. The North Sea not a "special circumstance" or "special. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ase"Chapter V . The special circumstances exception and the Federal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .epublic's sectoral claim

Section 1 The absence of any "special circumstances" . . . . . .Section I I. The inadmissibility of the Federal Republic's sectorald a i m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .art II I. SubmissionsPart IV. Annexes to th e Counter-Mernorial subm itted by the Govern-ment of the Kingdom of Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1. Convention on the Continental Shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. Signatures. ratifications a nd accessions relating to the Conventiono n the Continental Shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


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CONTENTS3. Reservations and declarations relating to the Convention on theCon tinental Shelf and objections to reservations and declarations:

A . Reservations and declarations in conn ection with th e signing ofthe Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Rese rvations an d declarations in connection with ratification ofor accession t o the C onvention . . . . . , . , . , . . . .C. Objections to reservations an d declarations. . . . . . . . .4. Convention on th e Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zo ne of 29Apri11958 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , .5. Conv ention o n Fishing an d Co nservation of the Living Resourcesof the High Seas of 29 April 1958 . . . . . . . . . . . . .6. European Fisheries Convention, London, 9 March 1964 . . . .7. Memorandum: sumrnary of exploration activity in De nm ark andthe Danish North Sea continental shelf . . . . . . . . . . . .8. N ote Verbale of 13 M ay 1952 from the Danish Government to theSecretariat of the United Nations regarding Danish comments tothe draft articles on the continental shelf prepared by the Inter-national Law Commission in 1951 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9. Ske tch rnap of the Da nish c ontinen tal shelf bou ndaries annexed tothe Note Verbale of 13 M ay 1952 (cf. Annex 8) . . . . . . . ,10. Promulgation of the Proclamation of the Federal Governmentconcerning the exploration an d exploitation of the G erman Con -

tinenta1,Shelf of 22 January 1964. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10A. Translation from the G erman text . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 . Expos des Motifs of the German Bill for the Provisional Deter-rnination of Rights over the Co ntinental Shelf (15May 1964) . . .11A. Translation frorn the Germ an text . . . . . . . . . . . . .12. Rep ort of the Comm ittee of Experts to the Internation al Law Com-mission of 18 May 1953 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12A. Th e English version of the Re port . . . . . . . . . . . . .13. Qu otations frorn Bo undary-Treaties delimiting Continental S helves,Territorial W aters, Fishery Zones, S traits, Lakes an d Rivers:A. Continental Shelves , . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Territorial Waters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C . Fishery Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. Stra i t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E L a k e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F. Rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14. Bill of October 1967 relating t o the B elgian Continental Shelf . .14A. Translation from th e French text . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15. Brief rema rks on th e use of literature in the M emo rial of the F ederalRepublic of Germany illustrated by further quotations from theauth ors cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16. M ap showing the No rth Sea and the Continental Shelf Boundaries(see pocket inside back cover)Counter-Memorial submitted by the Government of the Kingdom of the Nether-landsIntroduction . . . . , . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307Par t 1. Facts and history of the dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309


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XIV NORTH SEA CONTINENTAL SHELFChapter 1. Th e continental shelf beneath the N orth Sea . . , . , .Chapter 2. T he attitud e of the Kingd om of the Netherlands in respect

of the continental shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 3. T he attitud e of the Federal Repu blic of Germ any in respectof the continental shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 4. Th e negotiations between the Parties to t he dispute retatingto th e delimitation of the continental sheIf beneath the N or th Sea .Section A. Bilateral negotiations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section B. Tripa rtite negotiations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II. Th e law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,Chapter 1 . Th e question submitted to th e Cou rt. . . . . . . . . .Chapter 2. T he principle tha t a delimitation of a maritime area in ac-corda nce with generally recognized rules of international law is prim afacie valid an d opposable t o o ther States . . . . . . . . , . . .Chapter 3 . Th e status of th e principles embo died in article 6 of the con-vention o n the con tinental shelf a s general rules of law. . . . . . .

Section A. Th e Interna tional Law Commission . . . . . . . . .Section B. Th e 1958 Geneva Conference o n the Law of the Sea . .Section C . The provisions of Article 6 are in harrnony with Statepractice in t he delimitation of othe r maritime an d freshwaterboundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section D. Th e State practice since the Gen eva Conference of 1958Chapter 4. T he app licable principles stated in Article 6 of the conven-tion o n the con tinental sheIf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section A . The meaning of the principal ruIe applicable in thepresent case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section B. Th e N or th Sea not a "special circumstance" o r "specialcase" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 5. The special circumstances exception and the Federal Re-public's sectoral daim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section A . Th e absence of any "special circumstances". , . . . .Section B. The Federal Republic's sectoral claim . . . . . . . .

Par t III. Submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part IV. Annexes to the Counter-Mernorial subm itted by the G overnrnentof the Kingdom of the Netherlrinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Convention on the Continental Shelf [See Annex 1 60 the DunishCounter-Mernorial,p. 22312. Signatures, ratifications and accessions relating to the Conventionon the Continental Shelf [See Annex 2 to the Danish Coiinter-Me-morial, p . 22713. Reservations and dedarations relating to the Convention on theContinental Shelf and objections to reservations and declarations[See Annex 3 to the Danish Counter-Memoriul, p . 23014. Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone of 29April 1958 [See Annex 4 to the Danish Counter-Mernorial,p . 2341

5. Convention o n Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resourcesof the High Seas of 29 April 1958 [See Annex 5 ta the DariishCounter-Meniorial, p. 2351


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CONTENTS XV6 . European Fisheries Convention of 9 March 1964 [See Annex 6 tothe Dorrish Coiinter-hfemori~l ,. 23617. Rep ort of the Comm ittee of Experts to the Intern ational Law Com-mission of 18 May 1953 [Se e Annex 12A to the Danisk Counter-Memorial, p. 25418. Translation of the Note Verbale o f 21 June 1963 frorn the RoyalNetherlands Embassy at Bon n t o the M inistry of Foreign A ffairs ofthe Federal Republic of Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3789. Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the FederalRepublic of Gerrnany of 26 August 1963 . . . . . . . . . . . 3799A. English translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8110. Promulgation of the Proclamation of the Federal Governmentconcerning the exploration a nd exploitation of the Germ an Con-

tinental Shelf of 22 January 1964fSee Annex 10 to the Danish Coun-ter-Mehorial ,p. 2441IOA. English transIation [See Annex 10A ta the Danish Counter-Memorial, p . 2461I l . Expos des Motifs of the German Bill for the Provisional Deter-mination of Rights over the Continental Shelf (1 5 May 1964) [SeeAnnex II to the Danish Corinter-Memurial,p . 247111A. English translation [See Annex 11A to the Danish Counrer-Me-marial, p . 248112. Agreement between the Gov ernm ent of the Kingdom of theNeth er-

lands and the Government of the United Kingdom of GreatBritain and Northern Ireland relating to the exploitation of singlegeological structures extending across the Dividing Line on theContinental Shelf under the North Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . 38313. N ote frorn the Embassy d Belgium a t The Hague of 15 September1 9 6 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38513A. English translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38714. Bill of October 1967 relating to the B elgian Continental Shelf [SeeAnnex 14 to the Dunish Counter-Memorhl,p . 280114A. English translation [See Annex 14A to the Danish Counter-Me-morial, p . 290115. Qu otatio ns from Bou ndary-Treaties delimiting Con tinental Shelves,Territorial Waters, Fishery Zones, Straits, Lakes and Rivers [SeeAnnex 13 to the Danish Cuunter-Mernorial,p . 259116. Brief remarks o n th e use of literature in the Mernorial of the FederalRepublic of Gerrnany, illustrated by further quotations from theau tho rs cited fSee Annex 15 ta the Danish Counter-Mernorial,p . 299117. Map showing the No rth Sea and the ContinentaI Shelf Boundaries[S ee Annex 16 to the Danish Counrer-mer no rial,^. 3051

Reply submitted by the Government of the Federal Republic of Gennany(Federal Republic of GemanylDenmark)Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389Par t 1. Th e law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391Chapter I. T h e principle of the just and equitable share governing thedelimitation of th e continental shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391Chapter II. The applicability of the equidistance line in th e delimitationof th e continental shelf between the P arties . . . . . . . . . . . 396


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XVI NORTH SEA CONTINENTAL SHELFSection 1. General remarks on the lines of reasoning in the Counter-Mernorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A. Source of the obligation to accept the equidistance line . . .B. The substance of the alIeged rule of Iaw on the delimitation ofthe continental shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C . The equidistance line as a "general rule" for maritime bound-aries . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 2. The attitude of the Federal Republic of Germany towardsthe equidistance line . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 3. Have the rules contained in Article 6, paragraph 2, of theContinental Shelf Convention become customary internationallaw? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. The equidistance principle in the practice of States prior to theContinental Shelf Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. The impact of the Continental Shelf Convention on the forma-tion of customary law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. The legal effect of the reservations to Article 6 of the Continen-tal Shelf Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 4. State practice since the 1958 Geneva Conference . . . .Section 5. "Propinquity" and equidistance . . . . . . . . . . .Section 6. Onus of proof with regard to the existence of customaryl a w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 7. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter III, The special case of the North Sea , . . . . . . . . .

Section 1. The law goveming the delimitation of the continental shelfSection 2. The role of Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Geneva Conven-tion within the law on the continental shelf. . . . . . . . . . .Section 3. The "special ci~~cumstances"n the present case . . . .A. The North Sea as a "special case" . . . . . . . . . . . .B. The indivisibility of the boundary problern in theNorth Sea . .

Section 4. Criteria for an equitable apportionment of the continentalshelf in the North Sea . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . .Section 5. Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part II. Submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part III. Annex to th e RepIy submitted by the Government of the FederalRepublic of Germany . . . . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . . . .Reply submitted by the Govenunent of the Federal Republic of Gennany (Fd-eral Republic of GermanyiNetherlands)Note by the Registry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451Corn- Rejoinder submitted by the Governments of the Kingdom of Denmarkand the Kingdom of the NetheriandsIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . 453Part I. The law .. . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459


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CONTENTSChapter 1. T he essence of the issue before the Co u rt . . . . . . . .

Section 1. Rules and principles of international law relating to thedetermination of boundary lines in general . . . . . . . . . .Section II. T he alleged principle of just a nd equitable shares . . .Section III. T he alleged standa rd o f "the coa stal front". . . . . .Section IV. The so-called "sector-theory". . . . . . . . . . . .Section V. The Federal Republic's concept of "special circum-stances" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 2. T he applicability of the principles of d elimitation embodiedin a rticle 6 of the convention on the continental shelf . . . . . .Section 1. T he principles an d rules of law invoked by Denmark and

the Netherlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section II. T h e status of the equidistance-special circumstances m lea s a generally recognized rule of international Iaw . . . . . . .A. Th e arguments of the Danish and Netherlands GovernmentsB. The general recognition of the equ idistance principle extends t olateral boundaries n o less than to median lines . . . . . . .C. T he rote of the equidistance-special circumstances ru le in thedelirnitation of territorial sea and continental shelf boundariesis in essence the sarne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. The equidistance-special circumstances rule in State practice .

1 . S ta fe practice in regard to the delinritution of fresh-waterboundaries and maritime boundaries upartfrom boundaries ofthe continental sheij . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. Stare pructice in regard to the delimitation of the continentalsheif . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section III. Th e position of the F ederal Republic in relation to th eequidistance-speciaI circumstances rule . . . . . . . . . . . .Section IV. T he alleged generaI principle of just and equitable sharesChapter 3. The question of special circu~mstances . . . . . . . . .

Section 1. The meaning of th e clause of "special circumstances"justifying another boundary line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section II. Th e absence of any "special circumstances" in the casesbefore the Cou rt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section ILI A cornparison between the "coastal frontage" conceptan d the special circumstances clause . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section IV . Individual observations of the two Governments . . .Section V. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part II. Submissions . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part III. Annexes t o th e Com mon Rejoinder submitted by the Govern-

ments of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdorn of the Nether-lands . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . .1. Protocol of Provisional A pplication of the F isheries Con vention of9,March 1964. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. Exchange of Notes between the Royal ~ a b i s h mbassy at Bonnand the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated 30 November

1967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


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XVIII NORTH SEA CONTINENTAL SIIELFTranslation from the G erma n text . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aide-Mmoire frorn the G erman Embassy a t C openhagen to theDanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. dated 16 March 1967 . . .Translation from the Gerrnan text . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Note from he President of the Belgian Delegation fo r the delimita-tion of the continen tal shelf between Belgium and the Netherlandsto the President of the N etherlands Delegation. d ated 8 December3967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix 1 Illustration of Netherlands-Belgium shelf delimita-tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Translation from the French text . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agreement between Sweden and Norway concerning the delimita-tion of the c ontinental shelf of 24 July 1968. . . . . . . . . .Appendix 1. Illustration of Norway-Sweden shelf delimitation .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .ranslation from th e Swedish textDecree by the P residium of the U.S.S.R. Highest Soviet on the con-tinental shelf of the U.S.S.R. of 6 February 1968 . . . . . . .Translation from the Russian text . . . . . . . . . . . . . .InternationalLegal Maferials .Volume VII. No . 3. May 1968. pages547-553: "Italy-Yugosiavia : Agreement on Delimitation of theContinental Shelf". Rome. 8 January 1968 . . . . . . . . . .Th e Commonw ealth of Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A . Interna1 delimitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. Delimitations tow ards West Irian and the A ru IslandsC. Equidistance-special circumstances in the agreement betweenQueensland and Pap ua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix 1 Delimitations towards West-Irian and the AruIslands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Persian Gulf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. I raq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kuwait

(1) Bord er relations K uw ait-Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) Border relations Kuwait-Iran . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .3) Bord er relations Kuw ait-Neutra1 ZoneC Saudi Arabia-Bahrein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix 1. Officia1 statem ent of the Government of Iraq. dated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 November 1957Appendix 2. Statement of the Government of Iraq. published. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0April 1958Appendix 3. Republican decree. dated 4 November 1958. . . .Appendix 4 . Ann ouncem ent from the Iraqi M inistry of Oil. dated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ugust 1960Appendix 5. Chart showing the boundary according to theKuw ait-Kuwait Shell Oil Concession Agreement of 15 January1961. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


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PART 1

SPECIAL AGREEMENTS AND PLEADINGS

PREMIRE PARTIE

COMPROMIS ET MGMOIRES


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SECTION A . SPECIAL AGREEMENTS

SECTION A. COMPROMIS


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SPECIAL AGREEMENTS

THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THENETHERLANDS TO THE REGISTRAR O F THE

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICEThe Hague, 16Febniary 1967.Sir,

On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and withreference to Article 40, paragraph 1, of the Statute of the Court, 1have thehonour to present to you:(a) an original copy, signed at Bonn on 2 February 1967 for the Governmentof the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of the Federal Republicof Germany, of a Special Agreement for the subrnission to the Inter-national Court of Justice of a difference between the Kingdom of Denmarkand the Federal Republic of Germany conceming the delimitation, asbetween the Kingdom of Denmark and the Federal Republic of Germany,of the continental shelf in the North Sea;( b ) an original copy, signed at Bonn on 2 February 1967 for the Governmentof the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Kingdomof the Netherlands, of a Special Agreement for the submission to theInternational Court of Justice of a difference between the Federal Republicof Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning the delimita-tion, as between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom ofthe Netherlands, of the continental shelf in the North Sea.

The aforesaid Special Agreements entered into force, pursuant to theirArticles 3, on the date of their signature, Le., on 2 February 1967.Ln addition, 1 have the honour to present to you:( c ) an original copy, signed at Bonn on 2 February 1967 for the Governmentsof the Kingdom of Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany and theKingdom of the Netherlands, of a Protocol relating to certain procedurai

questions arising from the Special Agreements referred to under la) and( b ) above.As stated in section 1 of this Protocol, the three Governments parties to ithave agreed that the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands shallfile the two Special Agreements and the Protocol with the International Courtof Justice. Consequently, 1would request you to submit the aforementionedinstruments to the Court.With reference to paragraphs 1 and 5 of Article 35 of the Rules of Court,1 would also inform you that Professor W. Riphagen, Legal Adviser to theMinistry of Foreign Affairs, has been appointed Agent of the Kingdom of theNetherlands for the case relating to the Special Agreement referred to under(b). My Ministry constitutes his address for service at the seat of the Court towhich al1 communications relating to the case should be sent.Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my high consideration.

(Signed) J. M. A. H. LUNS,Minister of Foreign Afaixs.


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NORTH SEA CONTINENTAL SHELF

SPECIAL AGREEMENTFO R THE SUBMISSION TO TH E INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTlCE OF A DIFFERENCEBETWEEN THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERlMANYCONCERNING THE DELIMITATION, A S BETWEEN THEKINGDOM OP DENMARK AND THEFEDERALREPUBLIC OF GERMANY, OF THE CONTlNENTAL SHELF I N T H E NORTH SEA.

The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of theFederd Republic of Germany,Considering that the delimitation of the coastal continental shelf in the NorthSea between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Federal Republic of Germanyhas been laid down by a Convention concluded on 9 June 1965,Considering that in regard to the further course of the boundary disagree-ment exists between the Danish and German Governments, which could notbe settied by detailed negotiations,Intending to settle the open questions in the spirit of the friendly and good-neighbourly relations existing between them,Recalling the obligation laid down in Article 1of the Danish-German Treatyof Conciliation and Arbitration of 2 June 1926 to subrnit to a procedure of con-ciliation or to judicial settlernent al1 controversies which cannot be settled bydiplomacy,

Bearing in mind the obligation assumed by them under Articles 1 and 28 ofthe European Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes of 29 April1957 to submit to the judgment of the International Court of Justice al1 inter-national legal controversies to the extent that no special arrangement has beenor will be made,By virtue of the fact that the Kingdom of Denmark is a party to the Statuteof the International Court of Justice, and of the Declaration of acceptance ofthe jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice made by the FederalRepublic of Germany on 29 AprilI961 in conformity with Article 3 of the Con-vention of 29 April 1957 and with the Resoiution adopted by the SecurityCouncilof the United Nations on 15 October 1946concerning the "Conditionunder which the International Court of Justice shalf be open to States notParties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice",Have agreed as follows:

Article I(1) The International Court of Justice is requested to decide the followingquestion:

What principles and rules of international law are appIicable to the delimi-tation as between the Parties of the areas of the continental shelf in the NorthSea which appertain to each of them beyond the partial boundary deter-mined by the above-mentioned Convention of 9 June 1965?(2) The Governments of the Kingdom of Denmark and of the FederalRepublic of Germany shali delirnit the continental shelf in the North Sea asbetween their countries by agreement in pursuance of the decision requestedfrom the International Court of Justice.

Article 2(1) The Parties shall present their written pleadings to the Court in the orderstated below:


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SPECIAL AGREEMENTS 71. a Memorial of the Federal Republicof Germany to be submitted withinsix months from the notification of the present Agreement to the Court;2. aCounter-Memorialof the Kingdom of Denmark to be submittedwithinsix months from the delivery of the Gennan Memorial;3. a German Reply followed by a Danish Rejoinder to be delivered withinsuch time-limits as the Court may order.

(2) Additional written pleadingsmay be presented if this is jointIy proposedby the Parties and considered by the Court to be appropriate to the case andthe circurnstances.(3) The foregoingorder of presentation is without prejudice to any questionof burden of proof which might arise.

Article 3The present Agreement shall.enter into force on the dayof signature thereof.Done at Bonn on 2 February 1967 in triplicate in the EngIish langage.

For the Govemment of theKingdom of Denmark,(Signed) K. KNUTH-WINTERFELDT,For the Government of theFederal Republic of Germany,(Sigred) SCHTZ.


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SPECIAL AGREEMENTFOR T H E SUBMISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OP JUSTICEOF A DIFFERENCEBETWEEN THE FEDERALREPUBLIC OF GERMANY A N D THE KINGDOM OF TH E NETHER-LANDS CONCERNING THE DELIMITATION, A S BETWEEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OFOERMANY AND THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELFIN THE NORTH SEA.

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Governmentof the Kingdom of the Netherlands,Considering that the delimitation of the coastal continental shelf in theNorth Sea between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of theNetherlands has been laid down by a Convention concluded on 1 December1964,Consideringthat in regard to the further course of the boundary disagreementexists between the German and the Netherlands Governments, which couldnot be settled by detailed negotiations,Intending to settle the open questions in the spirit of the friendly and good-neighbourly relations existing between them,Recalling the obligation laid down in Article 1 of the German-NetherlandsTreaty of Conciliation and Arbitration of20 May 1926to submit to a procedureof conciliation or to judicial settlement al1 controversies which cannot be settledby diplomacy,Bearing in mind the obligation assumed by them under Articles 1 and 28of the European Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes of 29April 1957 to submit to the judgment of the International Court of Justice al1international legal controversies to the extent that no special arrangementhas been or will be made,

By virtue of the fact that the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a party to theStatute of the International Court of Justice, and of the Declaration of accep-tance of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice made by theFederal Republic of Germany on 29 April 1961 in conformity with Article 3-if the Convention of 29 April 1957 and with the Resolution adopted by theSecurity Council of the United Nations on 15 October 1946 concerning the"Conditions under which the International Court of Justice shall be opento States not Parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice",Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

(1) The International Court of Justice is requested to decide the followingquestion:What principles and rules of international law are applicable to thedelimitation as between the Parties of the areas of the continental sheIf inthe North Sea which appertain to each of them beyond the partial boundarydetermined by the above-mentioned Convention of 1 December 1964?

(2) The Governrnents of the Federal Republic of Germany and of theKingdom of the Netherlands sball delimit the continental shelf in the North


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SPECIAL AGREEMENTS 9Sea as between their countries by agreement in pursuance of the decisionrequested from the International Court of Justice.

Article 2(1 ) The Parties shall present their written pleadings to the Court in theorder stated below:

1. a Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germmy to be subrnittedwithin six months from the notification of the present Agreement to theCourt;2. a Counter-Memorialof the Kingdomof the Netherlands to be submittedwithin six months from the delivery of the German Memorial;3. a German Reply followed by a Netherlands Rejoinder to be deliveredwithin such time-limits as the Court may order.

(2) Additiond written pleadings rnay be presented if this is jointly proposedby the Parties and considered by the Court to be appropriate to the case andthe circumstances.(3) The foregoing order of presentation is without prejudice to any questionof burden of proof which might aise.Article 3

The present Agreement shall enter into force on the day of signature thereof.Done at Bonn on 2 February 1967 in triplicate in the English language.For the Government of theFederal Republic of Gemany,(Signedl SCHTZ,

For the Government of theKingdomof the Netherlands,(Signed) G . E. VAN TITERSUM.


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PROTOCOLAt the signature of the Special Agreement of today's date between theGovernment of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Governments of theKingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of the Netherlands respectively,onthe subrnission to the International Court of Justice of the differences betweenthe Parties concerning the delirnitation of the continental shelf in the NorthSea, the three Govemments wish to state their agreement on the following:1. The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will, within a monthfrom the signature, notify the two Special Agreements together with the presentProtocol to the International Court of Justice in accordance with Article 40,paragraph 1, of the Statute of the Court.2. After the notification in accordance with item 1 above the Parties willask the Court to join the two cases.3. The three Governments agree that, for the purpose of appointing a judgead hoc, the Governments of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom ofthe Netherlands shall be considered parties in the same interest within themeaning of Article 31, paragraph 5, of the Statute of the Court.DONEt Bonn on 2 February 1967 in four copies in the English language.

For the Government of the Kingdomof Denrnark(Signed) K. KNUTH-WINTERFELDTFor the Government of the Federal Republicof Gerrnany(Signed) SCHTZFor the Government of the Kingdom of t h eNetherlands(Signed) G .E. VAN ITTERSUM

North Continental Case 1

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