United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 [1982]
1833 U.N.T.S. 397 · International Court of Justice / Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea · International
Ocean and Coastal Lawocean-and-coastal-lawOcean and Coastal LawOuter Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf
Issue
The formula for determining the outer limits of the continental shelf under Article 76.
Held
The continental shelf extends to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to 200 nautical miles if the margin does not extend that far; the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf makes recommendations.
Exam use
In an exam, introduce United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 with the citation only if you can remember it accurately; otherwise use the case name and court, then focus on the rule and application. A strong answer should say what United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 decided, why the facts mattered, and how the authority helps resolve the new facts. Avoid treating the case as a decorative reference. Use it to prove a doctrinal step in Outer Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf, then move quickly to analysis.
Summary
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 is included in the Ocean and Coastal Law case database because it gives students a concrete authority for Outer Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf. The reported citation is 1833 U.N.T.S. 397, and the decision is associated with International Court of Justice / Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. In revision, treat the case as a way to connect the legal issue to a real dispute rather than as an abstract rule. The key exam move is to state the holding, identify the fact pattern that made the rule matter, and then decide whether a new problem question should apply, distinguish, or limit the authority.
Facts
The material factual signal for United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 is: Coastal states seek to define the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. Students should read the linked source and turn that signal into a short fact table: parties, transaction or public-law setting, procedural posture, conduct in dispute, and the fact the court treated as decisive. This prevents vague case-dropping. In an answer on Ocean and Coastal Law, use the facts to explain why Outer Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf was live, then compare the problem facts against the facts in the case before stating any conclusion.
Procedural History
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 is reported as a decision of International Court of Justice / Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. The procedural route should be checked against the linked source before formal citation. For study notes, record whether the decision was an appeal, judicial review, trial judgment, tribunal ruling, or constitutional/application proceeding, because that posture affects how confidently the rule can be used.
Issue
The formula for determining the outer limits of the continental shelf under Article 76.
Held
The continental shelf extends to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to 200 nautical miles if the margin does not extend that far; the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf makes recommendations.
Ratio Decidendi
Article 76 sets the international legal framework for delineating the continental shelf; states must submit scientific data to the CLCS.
Obiter Dicta
Check the linked source for concurring, dissenting, or obiter observations before quoting this case. If the case includes non-binding reasoning, use it as persuasive support rather than as the core rule.
Reasoning
For reasoning, start with the ratio: Article 76 sets the international legal framework for delineating the continental shelf; states must submit scientific data to the CLCS. Then read the source and separate three things: the legal test, the facts used to apply that test, and any policy or institutional reason the court gave. This structure makes United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 easier to use in essays and problem questions. In Ocean and Coastal Law, the case should be compared with related authorities on Outer Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf; if the jurisdiction, statute, or procedural posture differs from the exam problem, explain that limit explicitly instead of treating the authority as automatic.
Plain-English Explanation
Plainly, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 is a case to use when a Ocean and Coastal Law answer needs an authority on Outer Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf. Do not just list it. Explain the problem the court had to solve, the rule or holding it used, and the fact that made the result persuasive. That turns the case from a memorised name into evidence for your legal analysis.
Essay-Ready Explanation Generator
Version 1 of 4
Reference to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 (1833 U.N.T.S. 397) strengthens a Ocean and Coastal Law answer because the case reflects the principle that Article 76 sets the international legal framework for delineating the continental shelf; states must submit scientific data to the CLCS. Applied to a problem question, the case should be used after identifying the issue as The formula for determining the outer limits of the continental shelf under Article 76. The stronger essay move is to connect the material facts to the court's holding, then explain whether the present facts support the same conclusion or justify distinguishing the authority.
Verify exact wording in the linked source before quoting.
Significance
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 is significant for LawConquer users because it supplies a named authority for Outer Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf in Ocean and Coastal Law. The case can anchor a paragraph, support a rule statement, or provide a contrast point when another authority points the other way. Its practical value is strongest when the student links the holding to the material facts and then explains whether the present problem is analogous or distinguishable.
Related Cases
No related cases listed.
Exam Tips
In an exam, introduce United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 with the citation only if you can remember it accurately; otherwise use the case name and court, then focus on the rule and application. A strong answer should say what United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 decided, why the facts mattered, and how the authority helps resolve the new facts. Avoid treating the case as a decorative reference. Use it to prove a doctrinal step in Outer Continental Shelf / Extended Continental Shelf, then move quickly to analysis.
Revision Checklist
Name the issue before discussing facts so the marker sees the legal question immediately.
State the holding in one sentence, then use the ratio to explain why the court reached that result.
Use the citation and jurisdiction to show why this authority matters for the problem you are answering.
Pair this case with one supporting or contrasting authority if the question tests limits, policy, or exceptions.
Problem Question Use
Use United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 76 in a problem question by matching the factual trigger to the new scenario. If the fact pattern aligns with Coastal states seek to define the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles., apply the ratio and explain the likely result. If a crucial fact, jurisdiction, statute, or procedural posture differs, distinguish the case and use it as a boundary rather than a controlling answer.