The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is one of the most important constitutive instruments in international law. Not only does this treaty regulate the uses of the world's largest resource, but it also contains a mandatory dispute settlement system - an unusual phenomenon in international law. While some scholars have lauded this development as a significant achievement, others have been highly sceptical of its comprehensiveness and effectiveness. This book explores whether a compulsory dispute settlement mechanism is necessary for the regulation of the oceans under the Convention. The requisite role of dispute settlement in the Convention is determined through an assessment of its relationship to the substantive provisions. Klein firstly describes the dispute settlement procedure in the Convention. She then takes each of the issue areas subject to limitations or exceptions to compulsory procedures entailing binding decisions, and analyses the interrelationship between the substantive and procedural rules.

Review of the hardback:'This … will certainly provide much food for thought to those interested in the law of the sea or the role of the rule of law in contemporary international relations.'

Source: American Journal of International Law

Review of the hardback:'Her thoughtful and thorough study adopts an essentially historical approach, tracing the development of the provisions of Part XV back to their roots in the UN Conference of the Law of the Sea and beyond … Part XV is far from being the only mechanism that keeps UNCLOS in good shape … Nonetheless, it is fulfilling its more modest role effectively; and this study by Dr Klein is an excellent, balanced analysis of what it can and cannot be expected to do.'

Source: The Law and Practice of International Courts and Tribunals

Review of the hardback:'Klein's work will be 'the text' on the UNCLOS dispute settlement regime and, as such, of interest to those seeking to unravel the complexities and subtleties of the Convention wording.'

Source: Ocean Development & International Law

Review of the hardback:'… this book makes a substantial contribution to the relevant literature. … The work proceeds in a logical fashion with careful attention to the history of the regime. This provides the reader with the necessary background to understand the author's thesis. … a worthwhile contribution to the libraries of those interested in the law of the sea and international dispute settlement alike.'

Source: Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy

Review of the hardback:‘This book is of significant value to practitioners and scholars dealing with dispute settlement in the law of the sea … Natalie Klein’s book is a solid foundation against which later cases can be compared.’

Source: HeinOnline

Review of the hardback:'… a very helpful contribution to the literature on the Law of the Sea convention …'

Source: Common Law World Review