ITLOS asks India and Italy to suspend all court proceedings on Enrica Lexie case [Read the Order]

Majority opinion and ITLOS order

The International Tribunal for the Law of Sea [ITLOS]  today, asked both India and Italy to suspend all court proceedings and to refrain from initiating new ones which might aggravate or extend the dispute or might jeopardize or prejudice the carrying out of any decision which the arbitral tribunal may render in future. It also asked both countriesto submit to an initialreport on compliance with the measure prescribed before 24 September 2015. 15 judges including the President of the tribunal was in favour of granting the provisional measures, while 6 others which includes the Vice President, dissented.

Measures ordered different from those prayed for by Italy

Curiously, the Tribunal order also says that it is not ordering provisional measures in respect of the situation of the two Marines because“that touches upon issues related to the merits of the case.” The Tribunal in its 27 page order, says that it does not consider the submissions by Italy appropriate and it is prescribing measures different from those requested. The Tribunal is of the opinion that, if the provisional measures as requested by Italy is granted, it will not equally preserve the respective rights of both Parties until the constitution of the Tribunal.

Tribunal understands grief of families of Killed and ‘Killers’ ?

The tribunal also said it is aware of the grief and suffering of the families of the two Indian fishermen who were killed and also of the “consequences that the lengthy restrictions on liberty entail for the two Marines and their families”. It said “the present Order in no way prejudges the question of the jurisdiction of the  arbitral tribunal to deal with the merits of the case or relating to the merits themselves, and leaves unaffected the rights of Italy and India”.

Separate Opinion of Judge Jesus

Judge Jesus, in his separate opinion said that he agrees with the majority opinion but “would also have favoured the prescription of a provisional measure that would have enabled the two marines to be in Italy pending the decision of the Annex VII arbitral tribunal”

Dissenting opinion :

 No urgency- no primafacie jurisdiction

In his dissenting opinion, Judge P. Chandrashekara Rao said that  there is no “urgency” such as that required to justify the exercise of the power to prescribe provisional measures. He said “Though it appears that the measure prescribed by the Tribunal is addressed to both parties, it is actually addressed only to India.”Judge Lucky concurring with dissent expressed by Judge Rao said“I find that prima facie the Annex VII arbitral tribunal to be constituted would not have jurisdiction, the matter is not urgent, local remedies have not been exhausted and an abuse of process is evident.” Explaining the reason why he thinks there is no urgency factor, he says “I must say that the Supreme Court is rather accommodating, lenient and benevolent in this matter. The marine currently in India is housed at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, he is on bail notwithstanding that in India persons on a charge of murder are not entitled to bail. In other words Murder is not a boilable offence. This fortifies my view that the matter cannot be deemed urgent. The integrity of the Indian criminal justice system and the Supreme Court must be respected”. 

Prima facie Jurisdiction exists : But no urgency

Judge Heider, concurred with the majority view that prima facie Tribunal has jurisdiction over the issue, however dissented with its granting of Provisional measures as he sees no “urgency” in the matter. Dissenting opinions of Judges Bouguetaia and Ndiaye are not available in English.

Back Ground facts

Italy had submitted their notification before the tribunal on 26^th June, this year. As India, did not reply to this notification, Italy on 21^st July submitted before the tribunal, its request for the prescription of provisional measures against India. Thereafter, on 6^th August, India submitted its response as written observations.The Tribunal had heard both countries on August 10 and 11. Live Law had covered the hearing and the submissions made by both countries.

Italy in its submissions requesting provisional measures against India had stated that “India shall refrain from taking or enforcing any judicial or administrative measures against Sergeant Massimiliano Latorre and Sergeant Salvatore Girone in connection with the Enrica Lexie Incident (b) India shall take all measures necessary to ensure that restrictions on the liberty, security and movement of the Marines be immediately lifted to enable Sergeant Girone to travel to and remain in Italy and Sergeant Latorre to remain in Italy throughout the duration of the proceedings before the Annex VII Tribunal.”. In response to this India said that if provisional measures as requested by Italy is granted, it would “prejudge the merits contrary to the object and purpose of provisional measures.”

Read the order here.