Bimal Patel elected ITLOS judge, boosting India's maritime law presence

Unitednations,UPDATED: Jun 19, 2026 10:46 IST

Eminent Indian jurist Bimal Patel has been elected judge of the Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Patel is a member of the UN Law Commission and Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Public Law at Rashtriya Raksha University.

Announcing the result on Thursday, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said, "Congratulations to Prof. Dr Bimal N Patel for being elected as Judge of the Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in New York today. His election takes forward India's enduring commitment to multilateralism and the Law of the Sea." The mission also thanked all member states for their support and applauded all candidates for their vision and commitment to UNCLOS.

Patel is also Chairman of the Working Group on Succession of States in respect of State Responsibility under the UN Law Commission. In addition, he is a member of the Security Advisory Board, Security Council Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office. During a professional career spanning more than three decades, he has served in several roles, including Director of Gujarat Law University and Member of the 21st Law Commission of India.

According to his profile on the Rashtriya Raksha University website, Patel has worked for 15 years with global organisations such as the United Nations of Youth and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons at The Hague in the Netherlands. ITLOS is an independent judicial body set up under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and has jurisdiction over disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention. These disputes may relate to the delimitation of maritime zones, navigation, conservation and management of the living resources of the sea, protection and preservation of the marine environment, and marine scientific research.

The tribunal has 21 independent members who are elected by secret ballot by the States Parties to the Convention. Its current Vice-President is India's Neeru Chadha. Patel's election adds another Indian name to the tribunal and comes as India highlighted its commitment to multilateralism and the law of the sea.

With PTI Inputs

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