Чланак
мар 26
Назад

NAVIGATING DISPUTES BEYOND EARTH: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PCA OUTER SPACE RULES

Mohammad Owais FAROOQUI, Tahir QURESHI, Dhananjay Kumar MISHRA, Sunil GEORGE

10.51204/Anali_PFBU_26102A
САЖЕТАК /

The rapid commercialization of outer space, including satellite deployment, space tourism, and asteroid mining, has created an urgent need for effective dispute settlement mechanisms. As private and international actors increasingly participate in space activities, disputes are likely to intensify. In response, the Permanent Court of Arbitration adopted the 2011 Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Outer Space Activities, establishing a specialized framework for resolving space-related conflicts. This paper critically examines these Rules, highlighting features such as confidentiality protections, technical expertise, and party autonomy. It assesses their compatibility with existing international space law, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, while identifying challenges related to voluntary jurisdiction and enforcement of awards. Through illustrative dispute scenarios, the study evaluates the Rules’ practical relevance and proposes reforms to enhance their accessibility, effectiveness, and alignment with contemporary international space governance.

ЧЛАНАК ЈЕ РАСПОЛОЖИВ НА /
Енглеском  
РЕФЕРЕНЦЕ /
  1. Aceris Law. 2024. Reaching for the stars: Arbitration of space-related disputes, Aceris Law, May 26. https://www.acerislaw.com/reaching-for-the-stars-arbitration-of-space-related-disputes/, last visited February 18, 2026.
  2. Amerjee, Ali, Andrew Battisson, Matthew Hodgson. 2025. The legal landscape for resolving satellite disputes. Via Satellite, October 16. https://www.satellitetoday.com/opinion/2025/10/16/the-legal-landscape-for-resolving-satellite-disputes/, last visited February 18, 2026.
  3. Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO). 2024. Legal Issues in Outer Space, AALCO/62/BANGKOK/2024/SD/S20. https://www.aalco.int/62ndAnnualSession/briefs2024/Final%20Space%20Law%20Brief%20as%20on%2002.08.2024.pdf, last visited March 2, 2025.
  4. Blessing, Marc. 2/1996. Arbitrability of intellectual property disputes. Arbitration International 12: 191–222.
  5. Consoli, Laura Denise Jaroslavsky, Panagiotis Chalkias. 2024. Space-related disputes Part 1 – The current landscape and specific intellectual property aspects. DailyJus, 17 December. https://dailyjus.com/world/2024/12/space-related-disputes-part-1-the-current-landscape-and-specific-intellectual-property-aspects, last visited January 23, 2025.
  6. Dreosti, Julia, Matthew Brown, Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia, Adriana Abu Abara. 2023. Satellites and space: Using arbitration to resolve disputes in the new frontier. Clifford Chance. https://www.cliffordchance.com/content/dam/cliffordchance/briefings/2023/06/satellites-and-space-using-arbitration-to-resolve-disputes-in-the-new-frontier.pdf, last visited February 18, 2026.
  7. Dunk, Frans G. von der (1992). Liability versus Responsibility in Space Law: Misconception or Misconception? University of Nebraska – Lincoln College of Law, Faculty Publications: 363. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/spacelaw/21/, last visited February 18, 2026.
  8. Erpelding, Michael, Hélène Ruiz Fabri. 2023. Introduction: International adjudication and the legacy of the Mixed Arbitral Tribunals. 9–26 in The Mixed Arbitral Tribunals, 1919–1939: An Experiment in the International Adjudication of Private Rights, edited by Michael Erpelding and Hélène Ruiz Fabri. Baden-Baden: Nomos.
  9. Feng, Liyuan. 2024. The Permanent Court of Arbitration through the Ages. Centre for International Law (CIL) Blog. Singapore: National University of Singapore. https://cil.nus.edu.sg/blogs/the-permanent-court-of-arbitration-through-the-ages/, last visited April 13, 2025.
  10. Hobe, Stephan. 2019. Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Outer Space Activities: Permanent Court of Arbitration. In Max Planck Encyclopedia of International Procedural Law, edited by Anne Peters. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 3–4. https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law-mpeipro/e2813.013.2813/law-mpeipro-e2813, last visited January 18, 2026.
  11. Iannotta, Becky. 2009. Satellite crash: Who’s to blame? Space.com, February 19. https://www.space.com/4312-satellite-crash-blame.html, last visited July 13, 2025.
  12. International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). 2006. ICSID Convention, Regulations and Rules. Washington, D.C.: International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. https://icsid.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/ICSID%20Convention%20English.pdf, last visited February 18, 2026.
  13. Lisk, J., & de Zwart, M. 3/2019. Watch this space: The development of commercial space law in Australia and New Zealand. Federal Law Review 47: 444–468. https://doi.org/10.1177/0067205X19856498.
  14. Muszyński-Sulima, Wawrzyniec. 2/2023. Cold War in space: Reconnaissance satellites and US-Soviet security competition. European Journal of American Studies 18.
  15. Pellet, Alain. 2013. Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. In Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, edited by Rudiger Wolfrum. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 2–3, https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e70, last visited January 23, 2025.
  16. Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). 2011a. Environmental Dispute Resolution: 4. https://pca-cpa.org/en/services/arbitration-services/environmental-dispute-resolution/, last visited April 15, 2025.
  17. Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). 2011b. Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Outer Space Activities: 4–5. https://docs.pca-cpa.org/2016/01/Permanent-Court-of-Arbitration-Optional-Rules-for-Arbitration-of-Disputes-Relating-to-Outer-Space-Activities.pdf, last visited July 12, 2025.
  18. Permanent Court of Arbitration. 2025a. Case Registry. https://pca-cpa.org/en/cases/, last visited August 15, 2025.
  19. Permanent Court of Arbitration. 2025b. Panels of Arbitrators and Experts for Space-related Disputes. https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/panels/panels-of-arbitrators-and-experts-for-space-related-disputes/, last visited August 15, 2025.
  20. Raitt, David, Cathy Swan, Peter Swan, Arthur Woods. 2005. The Impact of Space Activities upon Society (ESA BR-237). Noordwij: European Space Agency. https://www.esa.int/esapub/br/br237/br237.pdf, last visited February 18, 2026.
  21. Rosenberg, Charles B., Vivasvat Dadwal. 2021. The 10 Year Anniversary of the PCA Outer Space Rules: A Failed Mission or The Next Generation? Kluwer Arbitration Blog, February 16. https://arbitrationblog.kluwerarbitration.com/2021/02/16/the-10-year-anniversary-of-the-pca-outer-space-rules-a-failed-mission-or-the-next-generation/, last visited February 18, 2026.
  22. SpaceNews. 2011. Avanti wins arbitration award against SpaceX. SpaceNews, 20 April. https://spacenews.com/avanti-wins-arbitration-award-against-spacex/, last visited June 2, 2025.
  23. Tronchetti, Fabio. 3/2013. The PCA Rules for dispute settlement in outer space: A significant step forward. Space Policy 29: 181–189.
  24. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 1945. Charter of the United Nations. 1 UNTS XVI.
  25. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 1972. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, Resolution 2777 (XXVI).
  26. United Nations General Assembly. 1970. Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, UN Doc. A/RES/2625(XXV).
  27. United Nations General Assembly. 1982. Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, UN Doc. A/RES/37/10.
  28. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). 2025a. Space Law Treaties and Principles. https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties.html, last visited August 13, 2025.
  29. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). 2025b. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/intromoon-agreement.html, last visited August 13, 2025.