Dear Colleagues,
What is considered the best view on the legal validity and perhaps more
importantly legal effects of illustrative maps attached to the decision of an
international court's decision?
Would it be right to conclude thus.
1. Such maps are intended to supplement the textual descriptions contained
therein; but
2. they are intended to be merely illustrative of the geography and the
statements, coordinates etc. provided by the court. They are prima facie,
therefore, neither accurate nor definitive.
3. The parties to any demarcation still have to attempt to accurately interpret
the delimitation proffered by the court.
4. There is the possibility that such an exercise may expose scientific errors
in the illustrative map and/or the coordinates or geographical descriptions
proffered by the court.
Hope to receive general comments on this issue
Best Regards
Gbenga Oduntan
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