How we work
Our practice spans the full arc of ocean and environmental law, from advising sovereign states to building the legal architecture that holds marine protection in place. Our work includes:
We advise and represent partners in strategic legal actions across Ocean protection, climate justice and human rights law.
Examples: contentious cases and advisory opinions before domestic, regional and international courts; complaint procedures with UN Special Rapporteurs.
We draft and review legal and policy frameworks to strengthen protection, accountability and implementation.
Examples: implementation of the BBNJ Agreement; national or regional Ocean policies; Marine Protected Area management plans.
We advise governments, NGOs, civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and other partners on legal questions within our areas of work.
Examples: deep-sea mining; fisheries and bottom trawling; Marine Protected Areas; Ocean rights; climate justice and human rights law.
We assess legal questions and develop legal arguments to support advocacy, policy reform or legal action.
Examples: assess whether States or institutions are complying with their legal obligations; due diligence for potential legal actions; legal opinions; legal briefings.
We support partners in negotiations, conferences and multilateral processes at regional and international levels.
Examples: International Seabed Authority meetings; BBNJ processes; plastics negotiations; Ocean, climate and biodiversity conferences.
We listen first and support communities and partners in understanding and using the law to protect their waters, livelihoods, culture and rights.
Examples: listening sessions with Indigenous Peoples and local communities; support in articulating legal claims; legal literacy workshops and accessible legal materials.
We prepare legal submissions, statements and interventions to support decision-making, accountability and stronger protection standards in legal, political or administrative processes.
Examples: submissions to public consultations; treaty bodies; UN mechanisms; regional institutions; or international organisations.
We monitor legal and political developments and translate them into practical guidance for partners.
Examples: monitoring International Seabed Authority negotiations; briefings on BBNJ implementation; updates on emerging Ocean, climate and human rights law developments.
We support partners in understanding legal tools, processes and developments, and translate complex legal issues into accessible language for non-lawyers, communities, funders, campaigners and the public.
Examples: trainings on the BBNJ Agreement, Marine Protected Areas or Ocean rights; accessible explainers on deep-sea mining, advisory opinions or international Ocean law.
We work with coalitions and networks to strengthen joint legal strategies.
Example: supporting NGO coalitions during international negotiations
Partner with us
Not every collaboration starts with a brief. We work alongside NGOs, foundations, research institutions, and other organisations to co-develop projects from the ground up — combining our legal expertise with your on-the-ground knowledge, networks, or funding to achieve outcomes neither of us could reach alone. We're also open to building longer-term strategic partnerships: ongoing relationships where we contribute legal capacity to a shared mission over time, rather than a single case or campaign.
Support Our Work
The Ocean needs more than awareness. It needs accountability. Your support helps advance strategic legal action, achieve strengthen Ocean Rights and support Ocean-dependent and Indigenous communities working to protect the ecosystems they know best. Together, we can help turn legal obligation into lasting Ocean protection.
