Law in Practice — Vanuatu Takes France to the ICJ Over Pacific Islands

This week in Law

Vanuatu takes France to the ICJ over a Pacific maritime boundary

On 1 September 2026 Vanuatu instituted proceedings against France at the International Court of Justice, seeking a ruling on sovereignty over the Matthew and Hunter Islands and on the maritime boundary — including the exclusive economic zone — with the French territory of New Caledonia. France withdrew its acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction in 1974, so Vanuatu has invoked forum prorogatum under Article 38(5) of the Rules of Court: the case proceeds only if France separately agrees to appear. For counsel advising on territorial or maritime boundary disputes, it is a live illustration of how much of this practice area still turns on jurisdiction by consent, not merits.

Humanitarian Assistance in International Law

A timely companion to the Vanuatu filing: as more questions of state conduct under international law end up before the ICJ rather than being settled diplomatically, this is the first single-volume treatment of how the law actually governs relief delivery — across armed conflict, disaster, mixed emergencies and assistance at sea.

Order Now →

Judicial Discretion in the Interpretation of International Crimes

The same question the Vanuatu case raises for jurisdiction — how far an international court may go on its own authority — reappears here for the substance of the law itself: a legality-focused framework for how tribunals interpret crimes against humanity and the emerging offence of forced marriage.

Order Now →

CLNZ Books' Law collection brings together recent titles from leading publishers in public international law, arbitration and international criminal justice. Explore the Law collection →