TMC the metals company IncInternational tribunal orders ISA to respect due process rights of TMC's subsidiaries, reducing regulatory risk.

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has unanimously ordered the International Seabed Authority to respect the due process rights of The Metals Company's subsidiaries NORI and TOML in their proceedings against the ISA. The Seabed Disputes Chamber found that NORI and TOML have plausible rights to due process and fair treatment, that there is a real and imminent risk of irreparable prejudice to those rights pending a final decision, and that provisional measures were required. The Chamber ordered the ISA to act in accordance with the applicable legal framework, provide both contractors with sufficient clarity and information regarding the procedures and questions underlying the inquiry, and respect due-process requirements in considering NORI's application to extend its exploration contract. The parties were directed to cooperate and refrain from any action that might aggravate the disputes. These are the first contentious decisions issued by the Seabed Disputes Chamber under Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
TMC the metals company IncInternational tribunal orders ISA to respect due process rights of TMC's subsidiaries, reducing regulatory risk.