Counterclaim before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the Light of Order of 2 November 2012 in the " Virginia G" Case(the Republic of Panama and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau)

The Republic of Panama and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, by their special agreement dated 29 June and 4 July 2011, accepted to submit their dispute concerning the vessel Virginia G to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The matter was entered into the list of cases on 4 July 2011. In its initial claim, Panama accused Guinea-Bissau of breaching its obligations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Guinea-Bissau filed a counterclaim on the basis of article 98 of the Rules of the Tribunal. Panama argued that this claim failed to meet the double conditions of jurisdiction and connection as laid down by the said article. That led the Court to examine the admissibility of the Guinean claim. In dismissing the objections raised by Panama, the Court determined by an order of 2 November 2012 that the counterclaim from Guinea-Bissau was indeed admissible. The claims of both parties were rejected in the judgment on the merits rendered on April 14, 2014.