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Vice-President Neeru Chadha

Member of the Tribunal since 1 October 2017; Vice-President of the Tribunal since October 2023 ; President of the Seabed Disputes Chamber 2020-2023; Member of the Special Chamber formed to deal with the Dispute concerning delimitation of the maritime boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius/Maldives)

Born: Delhi, India, 17 March 1955.

Education: LL.M., University of Delhi (1981); LL.M., University of Michigan (1985); Ph.D., University of Delhi (1991).

Professional Experience: Ministry of External Affairs, India (1992-2015): Legal Office, Legal and Treaties Division (1992-2002), Director, Legal and Treaties Division (2002-2005, 2009-2011), Counsellor and Legal Advisor, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York (2006-2009), Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary and the Legal Advisor (2011-2015); Leader/member of Indian delegation: presentation of India’s Third periodic Report on implementation of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Geneva (1997), 37th-42nd AALCO Annual Sessions (1998-2003), adoption of Second Protocol to the Convention on Protection of Cultural Property, The Hague (1999), 27th & 28th International Conference, International Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva (1999, 2003), 34th -37th, 39th, 41st Annual Session, UNCITRAL, Vienna/New York (2001-2004, 2006, 2008), adoption of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Geneva (2003), UN Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea, New York (2004-2009), Review Conference, Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (2004-2009), India’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th Report to UN Committee on Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Geneva (2004, 2014), adoption of Convention on Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, Geneva (2005), adoption of Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, New York (2006), Meetings of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, New York (2006-2009), Annual Sessions, International Seabed Authority, Kingston (2006-2009), Ad hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction (2006-2014), Ad Hoc Committee on International Terrorism, New York (2006-2009, 2011-2014), UN General Assembly Sessions, New York (2006-2009, 2011-2014), Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression, International Criminal Court (2006-2009), Review Conference of the Rome Statute, adoption of Amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on the Crime of Aggression, Kampala (2010), 16th SAARC Summit, Preceding Meetings, Thimphu (2010), Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment, State of the Marine Environment, including Social Economic Aspects, New York (2010-2013), 17th SAARC Summit, Maldives (2011), Governing Board of SAARC Arbitration Council, Islamabad (2011-2014), adoption of Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on matters specific to Space Assets, Berlin (2012), Consideration of India’s Second Universal Periodic Review (UPR), UN Human Rights Council, Geneva (2012), adoption of Arms Trade Treaty, New York (2013), 53rd Annual Session, AALCO, Tehran (2014); Vice-Chair, UNCITRAL Annual Session (2003); Vice-Chair, Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (2009); Co-Agent for India, Indus Waters Kishenganga Arbitration (2011-2013); Agent for India, Delimitation of Maritime Boundary between Bangladesh and India under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (2011-2014); Chairperson, Final Clauses Committee, Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of the Draft Protocol, Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Space Assets (2012); President, AALCO (2013-2014); Chairperson, BIMSTEC Fifth Subgroup Meeting on Law and Legal Enforcement (2014); Agent for India, Obligations concerning Negotiations relating to Cessation of Nuclear Arms Race and Nuclear Disarmament, International Court of Justice (2014-2016); Agent for India, Enrica Lexie case under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (2015-2017).

Member: Finance Committee, International Seabed Authority (2007-2010); Group of Coordinators of the Meetings of Legal Advisors, Member States of the United Nations (2011-2014); Governing Board of SAARC Arbitration Council (2011-2015, Chairperson 2011-2013); Indian Society of International Law (life member); Indian Law Institute (life member); Member Editorial Board of the Law and Practice of International Courts and Tribunals (from 2019); Member IAEA Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX) (April 2019 – March 2023); Member of the Scientific Development Policy Advisory Committee at Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law (from 2022).

Publications: “Concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind under the Moon Treaty”, Indian Journal of International Law, New Delhi, 1986; “Reproductive Hazards at the work place and Employment of Women”, Journal of Indian Law Institute, New Delhi, 1987; “Women and Law: A Survey”, in: Law and Poverty: Critical Essays, Upendra Baxi (ed.) 1988; “Constitutional Law II”, Annual Survey of Indian Law 1994 & 1995, Indian Law Institute, New Delhi, 1995; “Leveling the Workplace for Women Workers: Equal Remuneration and Maternity Benefits”, in: Engendering Law: Essays in Honour of Lotika Sarkar, A. Dhanda and A. Parashar (eds), Eastern Book Company, Lucknow, 1999; “International Humanitarian Law – An Overview of Basic Principles”, Seminar on International Humanitarian Law (Law of Armed Conflict), Regional Delegation of International Committee of the Red Cross, New Delhi, 2001; “Protection of Cultural Property during Armed Conflict: Recent Developments”, ISIL Year Book of International Humanitarian and Refugee Law, Volume I, New Delhi, 2001; “The Indian Arbitration Act: Recent Developments”, Silver Jubilee Conference, Regional Centre for Arbitration Kuala Lumpur, 2003;  “Obligations of India under International Conventions on Law of Armed Conflict”, Consultative meeting of Governmental Experts, New Delhi, 2003; “Diverse Threats to the Health of the Oceans in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction”, Commemoration of 30th Anniversary of the UNCLOS, AALCO Legal Experts’ Meeting, Delhi, 2013; “Current Issues in International Law Relevant to India”, 42nd Conference, Indian Society of International Law, Delhi, 2013; “Inaugural Address on Contemporary Issues on the UNCLOS”, AALCO Legal Experts’ Meeting on the UNCLOS, Delhi, 2014.